§ Mr. THOMAS DAVIES (Cirencester)asked the Minister of Health under 2228W what Act of Parliament has the Ministry of Health altered the words of the National Health Insurance Act, incapable of work to mean incapable of heavy work, which is the only interpretation that can be given to Model Rule 12 (4) (e) of Model Rules, a 1919 edition, which interprets incapable of work to mean that a member in receipt of sick pay may do light work; and what is the Ministry's definition of light work?
§ Sir A. MONDThe rule referred to by the hon. Member does not modify in any way the statutory requirement that, in order to be qualified for sickness or disablement benefit, an insured person must be incapable of work. Under Section 14 (2) of the National Insurance Act, 1911, every approved society is required to have a rule as to the behaviour of members while incapable of work and in receipt of sickness or disablement benefit. The rule in question, which was drawn up with the concurrence of the Advisory Committee composed of representatives of approved societies of all types, merely sets out the restrictions which a society should impose on the activities of a member whom they have already decided to be incapable of work. The Ministry does not lay down any definition of light work as it rests with each society to interpret its own rules in applying them to any particular case which may arise.