§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Health the total number of persons insured under the National Health Insurance Acts in January, 1921, and January, 1930, respectively, and the numbers in receipt of sickness benefit on the above dates, respectively?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe total number of persons in Great Britain who were entitled to benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts on 31st December, 1920, was approximately 15,200,000. The corresponding number on 31st December, 1929, was 17,800,000, of whom about 880,000 had ceased by reason of age to pay contributions under the Acts and to be entitled to sickness and disablement benefits. With regard to the second part of the question, the information asked for is not available and could only be obtained by a special examination of the sickness records of the 7,000 approved societies and branches.
§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Health the number of insured persons removed from health insurance upon attaining the age of 65 years; and how many of these were transferred from sickness benefit to old age contributory pension for the year ending January, 1930?
777W
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe number of insured persons who up to 31st December, 1929, had ceased to be entitled to sickness and disablement benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts by reason of the reduction of the age limit from 70 to 65 is estimated to have been about 650,000. These persons have not been "removed from national health insurance" since they continue to be entitled to medical benefit and to any additional benefits in the nature of treatment after attaining the age of 65. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question is not available.