§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Minister of Health how many approved societies 2885W under the National Health Insurance Acts were carrying on business in the United Kingdom on 31st December, 1936; what was the total amount of their insurance funds at the end of their last financial year; and what were the total sums paid during the last financial year in respect of death claims, sickness benefit, and pensions or annuities, respectively?
§ Sir K. WoodThe number of approved societies carrying on business in the United Kingdom under the National Health Insurance Acts on the 31st December, 1936, was 849. Information is not available as to the total amount of insurance funds held by approved societies at the end of their last financial year, but I would refer the hon. Member to the report by the Government Actuary on the Fourth Valuation of Approved Societies (Cmd. 5496) from which it will be seen that the total of such funds at that valuation amounted to £164,363,000. Approved societies do not provide payments on death, pensions or annuities, but the total amount expended by them on sickness and disablement benefit in the year 1936 was approximately £17,612,000.