70. Captain FABERasked whether anything is to be done to prevent members of friendly societies of over sixty-five years of age being compelled to pay increased contributions for medical attendance and treatment?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)I have nothing to add to the answers I have already given to similar questions on this subject.
§ Mr. CROOKSMay I ask whether this subject might be reconsidered in the interest of the old people?
§ Mr. MASTERMANCertainly, the understanding was that these people would receive medical attendance and treatment on the terms which the friendly societies now offer.
§ Mr. MASTERMANWith representative members.
§ Mr. O'GRADYMay I ask whether the statement was based on the assumption that the fees to be paid to the doctors would be less than the amount which was afterwards agreed to be paid?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat is exactly true. They were willing to take these people for 6s. The societies are now offering 6s., which is 2s. more than they used to pay.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIs it not intended that the members of friendly societies who are not within the Act should have exactly the same treatment as those who are within the Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAt a reasonable figure. The fact that we are giving half-a-crown Government subsidy more than for the others would, I should have thought, have made the doctors more willing to take these patients.