§ 64. Mr. COOPERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that Section 15 (2) of the National Insurance Act establishes a right on the part of any insured person of selecting the practitioner by whom he desires to be attended, he will say how this can be carried out in the event of a State medical service being set up?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe right of an insured person to select a practitioner on the panel is conditional upon a panel being set up. If in any area the practitioners on the panel are not such as to secure an adequate medical service, the Commissioners may, under Section 15 (2) of the Act, make such arrangements as they think fit for the treatment of insured persons. A State medical service is among the alternatives so open to them, but such a service including many doctors might still offer opportunities of choice by the insured person.
§ 69. Mr. JOHN WARDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of now deciding to place the sum intended for medical benefit under the National Insurance Act, together with the proposed additional Grant of £1,600,000 under the National Insurance Act, to the credit of the insured members, so that they may make their own arrangements with the medical profession for medical benefits, either through the local insurance committee or their approved society?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is open to insured persons to apply to their local insurance committee to be allowed to make their own arrangements for receiving medical attendance, under Section 15 (3) of the Act.