§ Mr. Heathcoat Amoryasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will consider the desirability of continuing the practice, which was current under the National Health Insurance scheme, by which receipts were given for stamped cards handed in for exchange.
§ Mr. SteeleUnder the former Health Insurance scheme contribution cards were issued by Approved Societies before the 59W end of the contribution year, and separate arrangements were made for the collection of the completed cards. A direct receipt was accordingly issued for each card surrendered. Under the new National Insurance scheme, following long established practice under the former Unemployment Insurance scheme, contribution cards will be issued through the local offices in exchange for the completed cards, so that the issue of the new card will be evidence of the receipt of an old one. There is, therefore, no need to continue the Health Insurance practice. A statement of contributions paid and credited in any particular contribution year will, however, be issued in all cases where future benefit rights are liable to be reduced by reason of a deficient record of contributions and credits in that year.