§ Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in a case where action taken by his Department has led to an employer being convicted for gross omission to pay insurance contributions in respect of an employé, the Department cannot itself take proceedings on behalf of the employé for the recovery of actual loss of benefit attributable to the employer's omission; and whether he would be prepared to introduce legislation to make this possible?
§ Mr. BernaysThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part, the hon. Member will be aware that under the provisions of the National Health Insurance Act proceedings against an employer for the recovery, as a civil debt, of benefit lost to an insured person through the employer's failure to pay contributions may be taken not only by the insured person, but also by his approved society acting in his name and on his behalf. My right hon. Friend does not think that it is necessary to supplement these provisions on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.