HC Deb 01 November 1911 vol 30 cc854-5
Sir JOHN LONSDALE

asked if dispensary medical officers in Ireland, who are required under the National Insurance Bill, Clause 59, to attend and treat deposit contributors in their area, will be remunerated upon the same scale as medical practitioners with whom arrangements are made by the local health committee; and if it would be practicable under this Bill to provide for the superannuation of dispensary medical officers on attaining the age of sixty-five years?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

Clause 59 does not require the same scale to be prescribed in the two cases specified. It would not be possible to provide under the National Insurance Bill for the superannuation of dispensary medical officers.

Captain CRAIG

When is it intended to put down the Government Amendments to Clause 59 affecting Ireland, so that we may understand exactly how that country is affected?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I do not see how that arises out of this question.

Captain CRAIG

How can we discuss the Clause in Committee unless we have the Amendments?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The information will be given as soon as possible.

Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIEN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends himself to put down any Amendments to Clause 59 of the National Insurance Bill; and, if so, whether he will do so at once with a view to affording time for their consideration in Ireland?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to him on Monday, in which, owing to a copyist's error, "take" was substituted for "table." No avoidable delay will be allowed to occur.

Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIEN

Is it quite fair that while the hon. and learned Member for Waterford is able to state that certain concessions will be granted other Irish Members are kept in the dark as to what the Government Amendments are?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

They will have the information as soon as the Amendments can be tabled.

Captain CRAIG

Is it treating us quite fairly to postpone till so late putting down the Government Amendments so far as they affect Ireland? Why is this Clause being treated in a hole-and-corner way with the hon. Member for Waterford, while we have no fair opportunity of studying the Government proposals?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

There has been no avoidable delay.

Mr. W. O'BRIEN

How is it that the Government Amendments are on the Paper to Clauses nearly up to Clause 59, while there is no single hint of what the Government propose to do with regard to a Clause which has regard to the whole administration of the Bill in Ireland—a Clause to the discussion of which only one day is allotted?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The hon. Member has pointed out that there are other Clauses before 59 to which the Government Amendments have not been put down: thus it is clear the Amendments to this Clause are not later than those to other Clauses.