§ 55 and 85. Mr. GINNELLasked (1) the average annual amount of the Grants paid by the Treasury towards the cost of the Poor Law medical service in England and Wales in the ten years preceding the operation of the National Insurance Act; if those Grants continue in addition to the National Insurance Act, will he state the present annual amount of them for England and Wales; and (2) the average annual amount paid by the Treasury towards the cost of the Poor Law medical service in England and Wales before the National Insurance Act came into operation and since, respectively; and will he state the grounds upon which the additional 2s. 6d. per insured person, since voted and now being paid to doctors in Great Britain, is not also being paid towards the better working of the Act in Ireland?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)Such Exchequer assistance as is given in England and Wales towards the cost of the Poor Law medical service forms part of the general subventions for Poor Law services, and cannot be specifically earmarked. As regards the latter part of the second question, I cannot add anything to my previous answers on the subject.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the Treasury extend to Ireland the 2s. 6d. per insured person added to the previous cost of insurance in England and Wales?
Mr. MASTER MANI cannot say anything but what I have said already, but the Report on the whole question of medical benefit in Ireland is either out or immediately to be published. Perhaps the hon. Member will study it.