§ Mr. MACPHERSONasked the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the fact that in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland the population is so poor and scattered, he will take steps to provide for the necessity of giving a Grant-in-Aid to the local insurance committee, to be used by them to secure effective enjoyment of all the benefits of the scheme for the insured persons and fair mileage fees for doctors?
Mr. CATHCART WASONasked whether he is aware that in many districts in the Highlands and Islands it will be impossible for the insurance committees to supplement their resources by the levy of a rate, and that many persons compulsorily insured will be unable to obtain medical attendance or the other benefits provided by the Bill; and whether he will take steps to secure a special grant to meet this state of affairs?
§ Mr. MORTONalso asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that in many districts in the Highlands and Islands it will be impossible for the insurance committees to supplement their resources by the levy of a rate, and that many persons compulsorily insured will be unable to obtain medical attendance or the other benefits provided by the Bill; and whether he will take steps to secure a special grant to meet this state of affairs?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe difficulty pointed out by my hon. Friend has been met to a certain extent by the insertion of Sub-section (9) of the Scottish Clause; and the new Clause passed last night giving power to vary benefits in certain cases; and, before arriving at any conclusion as to the desirability or otherwise of special 404 grants, it seems necessary to wait for the results of these provisions.