HC Deb 08 November 1949 vol 469 c113W
Mr. Houghton

asked the Minister of National Insurance what proportion of the claims for sickness benefit and for industrial injuries benefit, respectively, during the last benefit year were for periods not exceeding one week and two weeks, respectively.

Mr. J. Griffiths

I hope to publish, in the course of next year, statistics which will include this information for the year 1949.

Sir W. Darling

asked the Minister of National Insurance why Sundays are not counted days of incapacity in sickness; and why one-sixth of the weekly rate is paid in respect of each weekday and not one-seventh.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Sickness benefit, like unemployment benefit, is designed to meet a need arising from interruption of earnings and is, therefore, paid on the basis of the ordinary working week which normally excludes Sunday.