§ 30. Mr. HUNTasked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that panel doctors under the National Insurance Act have so much clerical work to do that they have not much time left to attend to their patients; can he say how many people have died because they were unable to get the services of a doctor under the National Insurance Act till too late; and what steps he proposes to take to alter this state of affairs?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second, therefore, does not arise.
§ Mr. HUNTDoes the right hon. Gentleman deny that people have died because they were unable to get the service of a doctor under the Insurance Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANCertainly. I do deny it.
§ Sir J. D. REESAre the verdicts of juries of no avail with the right hon. Gentleman? Does he treat those verdicts as waste paper?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have heard of no verdict of any jury at all except a statement made by a coroner's jury, which is now subject to a judicial judgment by a Committee appointed by the London Insurance Committee.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSHas the right hon. Gentleman not heard of the case of the domestic servant at Enfield?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI cannot accept the newspaper reports of these cases, because the facts are often found to be quite different.
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf the hon. and learned Member will give me the particulars I will inquire into it.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs it not possible that out of 15.000,000 one might inadvertently die?
§ 43. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of simplifying the clerical work now imposed on panel doctors under the National Insurance Act; whether any complaints have been received from such doctors respecting the labour entailed in filling in the day books; and whether there is a scheme for simplification now before the Insurance Commission?
§ Mr. MASTERMANYes, Sir. The principal pressure of clerical work has been due to the initial work in connection with the selection of doctors and registration of patients at the starting of medical benefit, and this is not a difficulty which will recur. The Insurance Commissioners yesterday received a deputation from the National Insurance Practitioners' Association, who laid before them also certain proposals for simplifying the ordinary clerical work required to be performed by doctors on the panel. Those proposals are receiving the careful consideration of the Commissioners.