§ Mr. SULLIVANasked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether, as unemployed persons after a period lose their benefit under the National Health Insurance Act, the Government will take steps immediately to abrogate the payment whilst persons are unemployed and thereby assist parish councils who have to provide payment out of the Poor Rate?
§ Sir J. BAIRDSpecial provision has been made under the National Health Insurance (Prolongation of Insurance) Act, 1921, and Section 3 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1922, to secure that insured persons shall not fall out of insurance by reason of a prolonged period of unemployment, and that persons whose insurance is so continued shall be credited with the necessary number of contributions to qualify them for medical benefit, maternity benefit, and the minimum rates of sickness and disablement benefits. Insured persons who desire to qualify for the full rates of sickness and disablement benefits can do so by making small supplementary payments without which approved societies would not be in a3214W position to undertake this additional liability. My Noble Friend does not consider that there is a case for any action on his part.