§ 80. Sir ARTHUR MARKHAMasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has sanctioned Clause 28 of the Regulations, lately issued by the Insurance Commissioners, which provides, for the purpose of determining the amount of remuneration payable to medical men, that the committees shall determine the total amount to defray the cost of medical benefits, and shall deduct therefrom certain specific charges, and that the sums remaining shall be paid to medical men; and whether, in view of the declared policy of the Government that insured persons should have the benefit of having the best drugs irrespective of cost, he will say whether, if under this Regulation, a medical man prescribes expensive drugs, his salary will be reduced accordingly?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs I stated in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bow and Bromley, on Monday, the draft Regulations now before Parliament cannot be interpreted except in connection with the general question of remuneration for medical benefit under the Insurance Act. This question is still under the consideration of the Government, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer hopes to make an announcement on the subject within a few days.