17 MARCH 1950, Page 5

But the details (except the size of the bonus, which

would have to be carefully worked out and could be varied in the light of experience) don't really matter. What is important is to recognise the principle that good health ought to be rewarded rather than penalised. Health is so invaluable that those who possess it can well afford to be generous to those who do not ; and I don't suppose any naturally healthy individual grudges the few pennies a week which he pays for medical services which he is lucky enough not to require for himself, or shoulders otherwise than cheerfully the extra burden of work which casualties among his mates or colleagues periodically put upon him. But he does the State some service, and, if the State acknowledged the fact I believe his numbers would increase.

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