§ 34 and 35. Mr. ASTORasked (34), how many local authorities have, up to the present time, consented to allow their medical officers of health to act temporarily as medical advisers to local insurance committees in regard to applications for sanatorium benefit; and (35), how many clerks of insurance committees have been appointed up to the present time; how many of such appointments are temporary; and how many are permanent?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am sure the hon. Member will agree that it would have been unreasonable for the Commissioners to have called for returns from the committees so soon after the date on which they first commenced operations, and, therefore, the information in the possession of the Commissioners in regard to the matters referred to in the questions is not complete. The Commissioners, however, have been informed that the insurance committees have in most cases appointed sub-committees to deal with the administration, of sanatorium benefit, and that these sub-committees are in commu- 1632 nication with the county and county borough councils with regard to the arrangements generally, including arrangements for utilising the services of the medical officers of health. In about thirty cases in England there is definite information that the medical officer of health is already assisting the committee, and I have every reason to hope that the majority of local authorities will be willing to allow their medical officers of health to act temporarily as advisers to the committees. The Commissioners have already received notice of the appointment of clerks to 185 committees, of which twelve are permanent appointments.
§ Mr. BUTCHERWould it not be when the insurance committees are finally appointed under the Act they should make these appointments?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe conditions laid down as to what the provisional insurance committees should do are in the Memorandum. The hon. Member will see, on reference to the Memorandum, that the interests of the future are very carefully safeguarded.
§ Mr. BUTCHERCan the provisional committees appoint permanent clerks under the Memorandum or under the Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANCertainly under the Act. They do not appoint under the Memorandum. The Memorandum merely gives directions as to what can be done under the Act.
§ Mr. BUTCHERrose—
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERI think the hon. and learned Member should put his further question on the Paper. There are over 100 questions down for to-day.
§ 43. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked how many auditors of each rank, respectively, have been appointed under the National Insurance Act, Part I., and when the appointments date from?
§ Mr. MASTERMANSeven inspectors of audit were appointed between 8th and 10th July, and five of these have entered on their duties. Forty-nine candidates for the posts of auditor in charge of a district have been selected for appointment; of these one has been actually appointed, and the names of the others are now before the Civil Service Commissioners. The successful candidates will begin their duties as soon as their services are available. As regards the lower ranks names are under consideration by the Committee 1633 of Selection, who will prepare a list of candidates for examination upon the results of which appointments will be made as necessity arises. I may add that although the main work of the auditors will not commence until January next, it is important that approved societies and insurance committees should receive skilled advice from the outset in the organisation of their accounting arrangements, and that for this purpose it is desirable that the audit staff should be available as soon as possible.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEHow many appointments have been made at the present time?
§ Mr. MASTERMANSeven inspectors of audit and one district auditor.