§ Sir C. CAYZERasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the position of deposit contributors to the national health insurance and to the fact that these contributors cannot receive dental or optical treatment, while in the cases of those who have been rejected by an approved society through no fault of their own, and often as a result of War service, they need such assistance more than the ordinary members of the community; and whether he proposes to consider the general improvement of their condition?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe position of deposit contributors as regards title to benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts is as stated by the hon. Member. Deposit contributors who can show that they were unable by reason of ill health to secure admission to an approved society are now, however, entitled to receive the ordinary benefits without limitation to the amount standing to their individual credit, and I consider that the guaranteeing of these benefits is the best method of meeting the needs of this class of insured persons out of the 653W limited funds available. Men discharged in ill health from the forces of the Crown can be admitted to the Navy, Army and Air Force Insurance Fund and become entitled in addition to the ordinary benefits to dental and ophthalmic benefits free of cost.