§ 48. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Prime Minister whether any estimate has been made of how long it would take to establish a State medical service; and whether, in the event of the medical profession refusing the terms of the Government, such a service could be formed in time to supply medical benefit from 15th January next?
§ Mr. MASTERMANCareful consideration has been given to the question of the best arrangements to make under the proviso to Section 15 of the Insurance Act, should it be found that the practitioners included in any list are not such as to secure an adequate medical service in any area; but I do not think it would be advisable that I should at the present time indicate what arrangements might have to be adopted in the circumstances suggested in the last paragraph of the question which, on my present information, seems to rest on a purely hypothetical assumption.
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONHave any steps actually been taken?
§ Mr. MASTERMANSteps have been taken to see whether the doctors are going to serve in any district under the panel system.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDCannot the right hon. Gentleman decide the matter at once by handing over the money to the approved societies?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat is a possible alternative. But the first step is to carry out the system laid down in the Act.
§ Mr. J. WARDWe could get it done for half.