HC Deb 25 July 1940 vol 363 cc1004-5W
Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered raising the income limit beyond £250 per annum under the National Health Insurance Scheme, so that the law may correspond with the new Unemployment Insurance Scheme in this connection; and with what results?

Mr. Leslie

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that unemployment insurance for non-manual workers has been raised to the limit of £420 per annum, he will now raise the limit of health insurance to a like sum?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I have given careful consideration, in consultation with other Departments concerned, to this matter but the information at present in my possession is not sufficient to satisfy me that the majority of the persons affected desire to be brought compulsorily within the scheme of national health insurance and that the existing facilities for voluntary insurance do not adequately meet the needs of the case. As the hon. Members will appreciate other considerations are also involved. I am, however, continuing my investigations and as soon as I am in a position to announce my decision I will do so.

Dr. Little

asked the Minister of Health whether, as owing to the increased cost of living much suffering is being caused by the small allowance paid, especially to those suffering from chronic illness, as health insurance benefit, he will take immediate steps to have the Act so amended that the benefits may be increased to an amount sufficient to provide the necessaries of life for these people?

Mr. MacDonald

The benefits under the national health insurance scheme were never intended to cover the whole cost of maintenance of the insured person during sickness. From its inception in 1911 the scheme was designed to provide in return for such a flat rate of contribution as could reasonably be imposed on all workers a payment during sickness at such rate as that contribution would cover on an actuarial basis, it being left to each worker to provide by private insurance or otherwise for supplementing that payment to meet his own individual needs. Proposals on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend would involve a large increase in the contributions payable by the workers and their employers and would necessitate a large-scale recasting of the scheme.