§ Mr. DENNISONasked the Minister of Health the number of insured persons who were unable to claim the extension of National Health Insurance membership under the Prolongation of Insurance Act, 1921, owing to the fact that they had not paid the necessary contributions in the two contribution years ending July, 1920, or in any other respects had not complied with the statutory conditions of the Act; and if such persons will be disqualified from claiming the benefits in accordance with the provisions of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINCessation of insurance, otherwise than by death, may be due to a variety of causes, and particulars are not available at headquarters to show, with regard to the members of between 8,000 and 9,000 approved societies and registered branches, how far cessation may have been due to a particular cause such as that to which the hon. Member refers. With regard to the second part of the question, it will not be possible under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill for a claim to benefits in respect of his own insurance to be made by a person who is out of insurance at the time of the claim.