MAJORITY REPORT.

211

501. We think that this problem is undoubtedly one of difficulty
 from the point of view of the administration of Societies,
and we are convinced that there is a very good case for giving
Societies a legal remedy which will, at the same time, protect
an insured person from the hardship which would be involved
in a complete stoppage of benefit. A time limit should, however,
In our view, be imposed.

502. We therefore recommend that provision should be made
whereby Societies will be empowered (in cases not falling within
the three classes above mentioned) to recover, without prejudice
to any existing right of recovery, overpayments of benefit by
withholding weekly from sickness or disablement benefit due in
respect of subsequent periods. of incapacity occurring within 12
months of the date on which the overpayment was brought to
the notice of the member, an amount not exceeding one-third
of any sum payable in respect of sickness or disablement benefit.

BENEFIT FOR TUBERCULOUS INSURED PERSONS IN PART-TIME
EMPLOYMENT,

503. To one special point brought forward in the evidence
telating to the question of tuberculosis we would refer in connexion
with the administration of sickness benefit. It has been urged
Upon us by the Cambridgeshire Tuberculosis After-Care Association
 (App. LXXXIII, 2-14), the London County Council (App.
LXXXTV, 84-35), and the Joint Tuberculosis Council (App. XCIII,
12), that a reduced sickness benefit should be allowed during
Such part-time employment of tuberculous persons as they take
Up under medical advice. It appears that such part-time employ-Ment
 is often a very beneficial element in the measures for curing
or alleviating this disease, provided that, the work is carried on
under proper conditions and subject to medical supervision. We
are not unsympathetic to this proposal on general grounds, and
We are glad to know that in fact the Ministry of Health approves
Some such relaxation of the necessarily strict rules governing the
Payment of sickness benefit in the case of persons in Tuberculosis
Colonies such as Papworth, But we see considerable difficulties
I any attempt to extend the arrangement to persons in ordinary
employment. It would be difficult to secure the proper medical
Supervision and the appropriate conditions of work in business
Concerns which necessarily must organise their arrangements on
4 commercial basis. Employers could not be expected to conform
to a number of restrictions directed primarily towards the care
of a small and specially affected proportion of their workers. We
May add that, though provision for the payment of a disablement
allowance to members not totally incapable of work is included
among the additional benefits of the Act, this benefit has been
found administratively impracticable and has never been adopted