§ Mr. Swainasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the saving by ceasing to pay the first three days benefit for sickness to wage earners; and if he will give an estimate of the saving to public funds of deducting the first three days salary from salary earners and from the remuneration paid to Members of Parliament, respectively, who are away from work through sickness.
§ Mr. DiamondThe saving on payments of sickness benefit in a full year18W to the National Insurance Fund (to which both employers and employees contribute) is expected to be £13 million, and the additional cost to the Exchequer in respect of supplementary benefits about £1½ million. Payments to wage earners cannot be distinguished from those to salary earners. As to the remainder of the Question, the information is not available.