§ Colonel Clarkeasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that Mr. R. S. Rothwell, a teacher, of 18, Lowfield Road, Hayward's Heath, has been informed that, having paid contributions to the National Insurance scheme whilst serving in the late war, he is not eligible to be considered as a new entrant to the Health Scheme and cannot therefore receive sickness benefits or his wife 106W maternity benefits without a further contribution for arrears to cover the period when he left the Army until 5th July, 1948; and if he will take steps to alter this.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe answer to the first part of the question is, "Yes, Sir." As to the second part, Mr. Rothwell, like other persons insured under the old schemes immediately prior to the coming into operation of the new scheme, obtains much wider cover, taking the benefits as a whole, during the early years of the new scheme by being given a credit for his contribution record under the old scheme, than he would secure by being treated as a new entrant. In these circumstances, I see no reason for amending the existing regulations on this matter.