PROPOSALS OUTLINED

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 12

PROPOSALS OUTLINED

PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT

Mr. Savage submitted the following proposals to the Committee: — HEALTH SERVICES. 1. The Government proposes to provide: — ' (DA universal general 'practitioner service free to all members of the community requiring medical attention. - (2) Free hospital or sanatorium treatment for all. ' (3) Free mental hospital care and ■ treatment for the mentally afflicted. (4) Free medicines. (5) Free maternity treatment, including the cost of maintenance in a maternity home. 2. The Government further proposes, that these services should be supplemented, when the organisation and finances are available, by the following additional services:— , (1) Anaesthetic. _, (2) Laboratory and radiology. (3) Specialist and consultant. (4) Massage and physiotherapy. (5) Transport service to and from hospital. (6) Dental1 benefit. (7) Optical benefit. 3. It is also proposed to institute a free home nursing and domestic help service when the necessary staff has been trained to make such a proposal practicable. 4. Complementary to the foregoing proposals, the Government contemplates an extended education campaign for the promotion of health and the prevention of disease. NATIONAL SUPERANNUATION AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. 5. To provide for superannuation and security against disability it is proposed:— ■ (a) Invalidity Benefits.—That a payment of 30s, per week be\ made to invalids when certified as permanently unfit for employment; with supplementary payments to the wife and each dependent child of the invalid, of 10s per week, with a maximum benefit, of £4 per week;'this benefit to supersede the existing pension of 20s per week. (b) Sickness Benefit.—That sick-

ness benefit of appropriate amounts be paid to men and women duping periods when they are prevented from earning a livelihood by reason of sickness or accident; provision to be made for the payment of this benefit to the .members of friendly 'societies through those societies.

(c) Disability Benefit.—That disability benefits be made available for persons who cannot'qualify for invalidity, sickness, or sustenance benefit or State superannuation, but who are otherwise physically or mentally disabled from earning a livelihood.

(d) Sustenance Benefits.—That sustenance benefits be paid to persons who s are capable of, and available for, work but for whom work cannot be found; that the rates of benefit be 20s, plus, if married, 15s for wife with 5s for each dependent child? in lieu of tb,e present rate of 4s.

(c) Widowed Mothers' Benefit.— That a social security benefit be paid to widowed mothers at the fate of 25s per. week and 10s per week for each dependent child; the benefit to continue until the child reaches the age of 16 years (instead of 15 years as at present), and/in special circumstances, until the age of 18 years, so long as'the child is still at school; this to replace the existing widows' pension of 20s per week. Wives of inmates of mental hospitals to qualify as at present, and deserted wives with dependent children.

(f) Widows' Benefit.—That widows' benefit be payable (i) at any age to a widow who h" as previously drawn a widowed mothers' benefit and whose youngest child has reached the age at which the benefit ceased; (ii) to a widow who has not, previously drawn: a widowed mother's benefit— (a) if she'was widowed before age 50 and has been married for not less than 15 years, the benefit to be payable *from age 50; (b) if she has been widowed after age 50, and has been married for not less tnan 5 years the benefit to be payable from the date of commence ment of widowhood

(g)- Orphans' Benefit.—That orphans' benefit be payable to relatives or- guardians who have been approved as foster parents, at the rate of 15s per -week in respect of orphans under the age of 16 years.

(h) Family Allowance.—That the family allowance be paid at the rate of 4s per week in respect of the third and subsequent children; the maximum allowable income to be £5 per*week, plus the allowance (instead of the present provision of £4 per week plus the allowance); the allowance to continue to be payable in respect of eligible children until they reach ' the age of 16 years. ■

(i) Miners' Phthisis.—That superannuation at the rate of 30s per week be paid to miners suffering from miners' phthisis,, with a supplementary benefit of 10s for the wife and 10s for each dependent child up to the age of 16; to supersede the present miners' pension of 25s per week. '

(j) War Veterans and' War Pensions.—That war veterans'' allowances be paid at the rate of 25s per week for the veteran, plus 15s per week for his dependent wife and 5s per week for each dependent child up to-the age of 16 years, the maxirmim pension to be increased from £2 15s to £3 10s per week.

(k) State Superannuation.—That State superannuation be at the rate of 30s per week ori~the at- ; tainment of the age of 60 years, with the qualifications set out in the present legislation; the superannuation benefit ,not-to be reduced so long as the income of the superannuitantv if a single person, or the joint income at a married couple (in addition to superannuation) does not exceed £1 per week; this will supersede the existing old-age pension of 22s ,6d per week. PROVISION FOR FINANCE. 6. Finance. —That the necessary funds should be provided by (a) A social security contribution of Is in the £1 on the wages and other incolne pf all persons. jt (b) Continuance of the present registration fee ..of £1 per annum for males over 20* years of age. (c) Subsidy from the Consolidated Fund. ' • 7. Commencement. —That-all benefits and services be made available and contributions be payable as from April 1, 1939.