§ Mr. OAKLEYasked the Minister of Health whether it will be compulsory for contributions paid by insured persons after 4th January, 1926, for the sole purpose of qualifying for health insurance benefits to be paid at the combined health and pensions rates; and, if so, what benefits will accrue to the contributor in respect of the pensions contribution so paid?
§ Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAINAll contributions paid for qualifying purposes after 4th January, 1936, must be at the combined health and pensions rates and will go towards satisfying the qualifying conditions both for health insurance and for pensions, the qualifying number of contributions for pensions purposes being the same as for disablement benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts.
§ Mr. OAKLEYasked the Minister of Health what proof a person who ceased to be insured before 4th January, 1926, and desires to become a voluntary contributor under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Pensions Contributory Bill, will require to produce, having regard to the fact that many such persons are unaware of the societies to which they belonged, and will be unable to produce evidence that they have paid 104 contributions; and whether, in view of the fact that approved societies have been authorised to destroy their earlier period contribution registers, other evidence will be accepted?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt is not anticipated that persona who wish to exercise the option of becoming voluntary contributors will be unable to supply the necessary particulars, especially in view of the Amendment, which I propose to move on Clause 43 of the Bill, with reference to war service being counted as insurable employment.
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§ Mr. OAKLEYasked the Minister of Health what evidence will be required to satisfy Clause 18 (e) of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Pensions Contributory Bill that an insured man who died before 4th January, 1926, leaving a widow, was an insured man at the date of his death?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINIf insurance particulars of the deceased husband are available, these will ordinarily be sufficient to decide whether his normal occupation was insurable employment for the purposes of Clause 18 (e). If, however, the widow is unable to supply the insurance particulars, alternative evidence must be obtained. This will involve particulars of the nature of the husband's employment for a sufficient period before his death. The Department will verify these particulars, usually by reference to the employers concerned, and on the evidence so obtained will determine in each case whether the requirements of paragraph (e) are satisfied.