§ 21. Mr. LEACHasked how many insured persons are under treatment for tuberculosis; and how many of them are receiving their treatment in institutions?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is hoped that the Return promised to the hon. Member for Plymouth on the 20th November will be laid on the Table of the House this week.
§ 26. Mr. CASSELasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in cases when warmth is of importance to the patient, coal will be supplied as part of the sanatorium benefit; and what are the articles which will be supplied as part of domiciliary treatment for tuberculosis?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs I have previously stated, the articles which may be supplied as part of the domiciliary treatment of tuberculosis are such articles as may be ordered by the doctor, and are ancillary to the treatment, such as special food and warm clothing. I am advised that the necessaries of ordinary life, for the cost of which an insured person's sickness benefit is available, do not fall within the definition.
§ Mr. CASSELCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me why coal is excluded as an article that can be supplied warmth is said to be necessary, and why a person who would receive warmth in an institution should not receive it in his home, and whether that is giving him proper treatment under the Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is a difficult question, and brings us back again to the old difficulty often felt in this House as to the 1771 difference between medical relief and Poor Law relief. So far as they are ancillary to medical treatment, undoubtedly they should receive the article; so far as they are ordinary poor relief, there is sick pay to cover that.
§ Mr. CASSELIs warm clothing considered ancillary and not coal?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think that is the difference between medical and Poor Law relief.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs the right hon. Gentleman not solving this question by giving very poor medical relief?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo! I think it is the best possible medical relief.