§ 40. Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the fear which exists in the minds of those responsible for the management of friendly societies that the medical fees paid in respect of their old uninsured members are likely to be increased considerably as a direct result of the administration of the Insurance Act; and whether, in the event of such fees being so increased by members of the medical profession, he will consider the possibility of making an equivalent Grant to friendly 1083 societies to balance the additional expenditure in which they may be involved as a result of increased fees?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, Sir, I know of no reason to suppose that medical practitioners will raise their present fees for attending their old patients who are uninsured members of friendly societies simply because, owing to the Insurance Act, they will receive higher fees than they have hitherto received for attending other members of those societies.