a4
MINORITY REPORT.
be considered desirable. The effect of the combined service and
cash benefit would be beneficial in terms of health of mother and
child, and later in terms of sickness expenditure saved. ‘It
would do away with the temptation to work too long and to
return to work too scon, if something which we should consider
full and healthy maintenance for the mother and child was
payable *’ (Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, Q. 3496.)
AGE AT ENTRY INTO INSURANCE.
115. We are not in agreement with the observations of our
colleagues with reference to the age of entry into insurance,
either in regard to the demand for a lower age of entry, or to
the weight of the evidence produced in favour of it. The National
Association of Trade Union Approved Societies in their evidence
drew attention to the gap of two years between the present
statutory school-leaving age and the age of entry into insurance
and submitted that ‘‘ employment within the meaning of the
Act should commence at any time after a person has left school,
having reached the statutory school-leaving age’ (App.
XCITI, 54).
116. This evidence was submitted to, and endorsed by, the
General Council of the Trades Union Congress, which is repre-
sentative of six and a half million workers, the great majority
of whom are insured persons. Further evidence was given by
Mr. Gold of the Scottish Miners’ Federation Approved
Society : *° It is a period that we have felt ought to be bridged
over . . . . As a matter of fact they are left out of is
entirely until they attain 16 years of age although we find that
in some instances employers stamp cards immediately: the lads
commence work ’ (Q. 6949).
117. In Appendix XI, 4, the Lancashire and Cheshire miners
say : “° We suggest that the present age of 16 on entry into
National Health Insurance shall be reduced to 14 years of age;
or whatever may be the school-leaving age either now or in the
future.”” *‘ The principal reason is not to secure cash benefits
but to get the advantage of medical treatment > (Hibbert,
Q. 7063).
118. The evidence leads us to say that there is a widespread
and important demand that there should be available for young
persons between 14 and 16 years of age medical services and
treatment, not less effective than those available during their
school life.
119. We are not impressed by the suggestion that to lower
the age of entry will militate against raising the statutory school-
leaving age, more especially as we consider that the title to non-
cash benefits might partly take the place of cash benefits for
