18. Captain FABERasked what steps have been taken towards finding a consumptive sanatorium for Messrs. Annetts, of Mullins Pond, Andover, and Frank Merriott, of Amport, Andover, who have applied for sanatoria under the terms of the National Insurance Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have communicated with the Hampshire Insurance Committee, who inform me that Mr. Annetts applied for sanatorium benefit on 4th October. The county medical officer of health wrote to the applicant the same day to inquire whether he wished to go to a sanatorium, and received a reply on the 7th instant, from which it was understood that the applicant was going to Salisbury Infirmary. A further letter was, however, received from the applicant on Saturday last, from which it appears that he has not gone to the infirmary, and his case is under consideration. The Royal National Sanatorium at Bournemouth has agreed to 1065 accept Mr. Merriott, and hopes to be able to admit him in about a fortnight's time.
Captain FABERIs it the policy of the Government to shunt on to convalescent homes and hospitals what is really the duty of the Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Royal National Sanatorium is a fully recognised sanatorium by the Local Government Board, and the insurance committee will pay for the man's going there.
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo. I think the lion, and gallant Gentleman did not understand my answer. The man himself informed the insurance committee that he was going to the Salisbury Infirmary. Now that the insurance committee know that he is not going to the infirmary, they are considering what sanatorium to send him to.
Captain FABERWill this man, having paid into the insurance fund, receive any compensation because there is no sanatorium for him to go to?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThere are plenty of sanatoria for all applicants.
§ Mr. MASTERMANUp and down the country. As far as I know, no insurance committee has had any difficulty in getting sanatoria.