§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health the total benefits paid by approved societies for each of the four quarters ended 31st March, 1927?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs the hon. Member is aware, the accounts of approved societies are made up for calendar years only. The total benefits paid by approved societies for each of the four quarters specified cannot, therefore, be stated. The total amount of the benefits paid by approved societies in England and Wales in the year ended 31st December, 1926, was approximately, £19,900,000.
§ Mr. HARNEYasked the Minister of Health what is the approximate total amount paid to the insured population under the National Health Insurance Act from the date of its inception till now under the following heads: sickness benefit, disablement benefit, maternity benefit, and additional treatment benefits, respectively; what is the approximate total amount of contributions received under the Act from each of the following: employed contributor, employer, and the State, respectively; and what was the number of approved societies operating under the Act at 31st December, 1926?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe particulars asked for under the National Health Insurance Act from the date of its inception until 31st December, 1926, are given in round figures for England and Wales in the following statement:—
Total amount paid:—
£ Sickness benefit 90,000,000 Disablement benefit 31,000,000 Maternity benefit 18,000,000 Additional treatment benefits 4,500,000 Approximate total amount of contributions received under the Act from:—
1392W
£ Employed contributor … 143,000,000 Employer … 136,000,000 State … 94,000,000 The number of approved societies with head offices in England and Wales at 31st December, 1926, was 926, including 27 societies with approximately 6,440 branches.