HC Deb 04 February 1952 vol 495 cc86-7W
108. Mr. T. Brown

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of applications received by the Workmen's Compensation Board (Supplementation), Pre-1924 Cases, from 8th July, 1951, to 31st December, 1951, setting out the number of total incapacity cases, the number of partial incapacity cases, the number of claims disallowed, and the total amount of compensation paid out to these cases, respectively.

Mr. Peake

The following are the figures:

deceased husband fall short of the required minimum of 156 contributions, in view of the hardship caused at present.

Mr. Peake

Rules requiring that a certain number of contributions must have been actually paid before people can get benefit have always been a feature of National Insurance. Several rules of this kind are embodied in the Act of 1946 and I cannot undertake to promote legislation on the subject now. I have, however, noted the point raised by the hon. Member as one to be gone into in connection with the first statutory review of the National Insurance Scheme.

112. Mr. Edward Davies

asked the Minister of National Insurance what arrangements exist under his Regulations by which a contributor to National Insurance may pay arrears of contributions arising from a period of sickness to enable his widow to qualify for a pension in the event of the husband's death and to meet the requirements of the Act that at least 156 contributions should be paid.

Mr. Peake

Although contributions can be paid in arrear in certain circumstances the arrangements at present in force do not enable payment to be made for a period for which sickness benefit has been paid and credits have been granted.

Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will authorise the repayment of all weekly insurance contributions paid by a widow who on receiving a widow's pension is automatically debarred from deriving many of the benefits from such contributions, unless her previous authority for contributions to be continued has been obtained in writing.

Mr. Peake

Under the Regulations these widows can elect not to pay contributions; but if the contributions were properly paid I cannot refund them. These Regulations were made in 1948 after full consideration by the National Insurance Advisory Committee and I cannot undertake to review them now.