§ Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Health what is the position with regard to contributors under National Health Insurance Acts who are prisoners of war; and will he say whether such members of approved societies are fully protected as to benefits during the period they remain prisoners of war?
Mr. M. MacDonaldIf an insured person is taken prisoner of war whilst serving in the Forces, his rights to health insurance benefits are not affected in any way by the period of his imprisonment. If a person not serving in the Forces is taken prisoner whilst insurably employed, he will normally under the existing law remain insured for a period on average of 1169W 21 months from the date of cessation of his employment. Accordingly, it has not so far been necessary to make any special provision for safeguarding the rights of persons within this category.