§ Mr. Howeasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is her assessment of the reasons for the increase of 7 per cent. between 15th December 1964 and 16th November, 1965, in the number of insured persons absent from work owing to sickness.
§ Miss HerbisonAt the times of year mentioned upper respiratory infections account for a substantial proportion of new claims and the numbers can vary markedly from week to week. For example, the November 1965 figure which he quotes was lower than the November 1964 figure; on the other hand, the December 1965 figure was higher than that for December 1964. Such fluctuations are to be expected.