58. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked whether it is intended to repeal the Regulations, dated 1st October, 1912, now in force as to the administration of medical benefit under Clause 28, of which the cost of drugs and appliances is made a first charge on the amount available for medical treatment?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe necessary modifications in the Regulations are being drafted to carry out the changes rendered necessary by the announcement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
59. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked how a man of the age of sixty-five and upwards, who has been a member for many years of a friendly society which has now become an approved society, can in future obtain medical attendance and treatment for which he has hitherto paid Id. a week; and whether any part of the proposed Grant of £1,650,000 will be applied in paying the increased cost of his medical attendance?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am not aware of any reasons why the cost of medical attendance of the persons referred to by the hon. Member will, as he suggests, be increased by the operation of the Act or the proposed new arrangements.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIf the right hon. Gentleman finds that that is the general anticipation of the friendly societies will he take the matter into consideration and give some part of this Grant to those old people who otherwise would cease to get medical benefit?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have no control over the Grant, but I will inquire into the subject.
§ Sir J. D. REESWhat is likely to be the cost of this measure up to the present?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI do not think that arises out of the question.
60. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked out of what funds drugs and appliances to be provided in connection with medical benefit under the National Insurance Act are to be paid for if their average cost in England equals the average cost in Germany, say 3s., and thus exceeds the 1s. 6d., or possibly 2s. per person allowed for in the scheme recently announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe conditions attaching to the sale of drugs, the articles required to be supplied, the persons able to claim them as part of benefit, in Germany differ so widely from the conditions in this country, that it is impossible to institute any useful comparison between the two. If the total cost of drugs in any district exceeded the total money available during the period of the contract with the insurance committee (including the sum provided by the 6d. for each insured person which is divisible between the doctors and chemists, if the total cost is between Is. 6cl. and 2s.), the bills would be discounted on some agreed system; but all evidence in this country shows that except in cases of abnormal sickness (which are to be met by a special fund) the cost is far below the sum available.
§ Sir H. CRAIKMay I ask if the remuneration of the doctors for their scientific work will be dependent on a chance increase in the cost of drugs?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, the doctors, as my right hon. Friend explained, will receive a certain amount as a fixed sum. Beyond that sum there is sixpence, which is available between doctors and chemists in accordance with the amount of drugs prescribed.
§ Sir H. CRAIKIt will vary?
§ Mr. MASTERMANTo the extent of sixpence.