§ 39. Sir J. D. REESasked the names and present addresses of the doctors appointed by the Isle of Ely Insurance Committee for the Wisbech and Chatteris districts, and at what places they practised before their appointment by such committee; and what salaries or remuneration are to be paid to such doctors by the insurance committee?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave to the hon. Member for Colchester on Friday and on Monday last.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask whether these gentlemen were not practically sent down as strike breakers as against the local doctors?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt has nothing to do with strike-breaking at all. The insurance committee has to provide medical benefit for the people in those areas, and the doctors were sent down in order to provide that medical benefit.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs it not a fact that the local doctors would not serve?
§ Mr. MASTERMANFor some reason or another they preferred not to serve under the Act; but that did not relieve the local committee of the obligation to provide medical benefit.
88. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked whether existing members of friendly societies living at Chatteris who are not insured persons under the National Insurance Act but who are entitled to claim to have medical benefit provided for them by 2185 the Isle of Ely Insurance Committee, are entitled to select their present doctors or are obliged to take the services of the London doctor brought in by the insurance committee?
§ Mr. MASTERMANMembers of friendly societies who are not insured persons are entitled to receive medical attendance and treatment from the doctors who are working under the Act and they have the option of selecting those doctors for treatment on the same terms as to remuneration as insured persons.