§ 31. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked whether, in the revised system of payment of the doctors for their services under the National Insurance Act, any difference will be made in the mileage allowance for urban and country practitioners, respectively?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo part of the new Grant which Parliament will be asked to make is specifically ear-marked for mileage, but this does not prevent an arrangement for this purpose being made. The distribution of the total sum to be provided for medical remuneration, and the assignment of special portions to special services, is largely a matter for the medical profession, and any proposals which appear to command the general support of the profession will receive careful consideration.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise the expenses under this head of the rural, practitioners are considerably more than those of the urban practitioners?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat is so, but rural practitioners would have several compensating advantages in other arrangements such as the provision of drugs.
§ Sir H. CRAIKMay I ask if the remuneration left to the doctors will depend upon the largeness or the smallness of the amount they require for mileage?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo special payment for mileage will be included in the total amount, amounting I think to something like 9s. per head for doctors and drugs.
§ Sir H. CRAIKThe doctors will lose as the mileage increases?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe doctors will get the mileage allowance.
§ Mr. FALCONERMay I ask whether any allowance for mileage to country doctors will necessarily come off the allowance to the town doctors?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNot necessarily; it all depends upon what representations are made by the medical profession to us as to how best to distribute the money.
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe mileage will be paid to the doctors?
§ Sir G. YOUNGEROut of the General Fund?