Major Braithwaiteasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the practice of his Department to deduct National Health Insurance payments from the salaries of prisoners of war in the Far East; and, if so, will he take steps to see that this practice immediately ceases?
§ Sir J. GriggPrisoners of war are treated in these respects in exactly the same way as they were before they became prisoners. They thus retain their full rights on release from the Army. Special provisions are in force for all Army personnel regarding contributions under the National Health and Pensions Insurance Schemes. Other ranks pay a contribution of 6½d. a week only and this is supplemented from Army Funds. Those officers who are insurable under the National Health and Pensions Insurance Acts pay a pension contribution of 1s. 1d. a week and a reduced contribution of 4d. a week in respect of Health Insurance. All persons in respect of whom contributions are made will enter civil life, on leaving the Army, as fully paid up insured persons, and they remain eligible during service for maternity benefits. I do not consider in the case of prisoners of war that it would be desirable to disturb these arrangements.