62. Major HOPEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, as 6d. out of the 1s. 3d. available annually for sanatorium benefit, in respect of each insured person under Clause 16 (2) (a) of the National Insurance Act, is to be set aside for payment of medical practitioners, local authorities will contribute towards maintenance of sanatoria and dispensaries one-fourth of the original or of the reduced sum?
§ Mr. MASTERMANLocal authorities do not contribute any part of the 1s. 3d. per head referred to in the question, nor is it proposed that the contributions of local authorities should bear any fixed proportion to that sum, or to the part of it devoted to the cost of treatment in sanatoria or dispensaries.
Major HOPEIs it not the case that the Chancellor of the Exchequer wrote on the 1st August that local authorities were prepared to pay 25 per cent, of the scheme if the remuneration were provided from other sources, and further added: "The Government are prepared to go a long way towards meeting your request," and does not that imply an agreement?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think if the hon. Member examines he will find that refers to the provision of sanatorium benefit for uninsured persons and has nothing to do with this.