12. Captain CLAYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an insured person will be able to choose the doctor he wishes to be attended by, or whether, in order to obtain medical treatment, he will be compelled to be attended by a doctor who agrees to serve under the National Insurance Act, whether he has confidence in that doctor or not?
§ Mr. MASTERMANSection 15 of the Act provides for free choice of doctor by the insured person from a panel composed of all the doctors in any district who wish to work under the Act. An insured person, under Section 15 (3), may be allowed to make his own arrangements for medical attendance, and to receive a contribution from the insurance committee towards the cost of medical attendance.
Mr. FRED HALLCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many doctors have accepted the terms suggested by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that question.