§ 19. Mr. JOHN WARDasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the way in which the medical benefit is being conducted in the case of the men employed on the Admiralty works, Crombie, Fife; whether he has received any protests from medical men in the district; and, if so, what action he has taken in the matter?
Mr. MASTER MANI am informed that no complaint has been received by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners as to the administration of the medical benefit of the men referred to. They are, however, making investigations.
§ 25. Sir JOHN BARRANasked whether, in the case of employed insured persons who were over sixty-five years of age at the time of joining an approved society, it is open to such approved society, with the consent of its members and the doctors on the panel, to provide medical benefit and drugs for such insured persons out if the society's own funds?
§ 40. Sir JOHN SPEARasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he proposes to take any steps to deal with the case of men over sixty-five years of age who have contributed forty years to the funds of a society and are debarred from claiming medical benefits under the National Insurance Act; and, if so, in what way will those men be recouped for their loss?
§ Mr. MASTERMANPersons insured under Section 49 of the Act receive such benefits as their societies may determine; and a circular (of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Members) has been issued to societies giving a scheme of benefits for these insured persons, including the provision of medical attendance and treatment up to the age of seventy and reduced sick pay. Persons over sixty-five who are not insured under the Act are not affected by it unless their societies choose to take advantage of the option given to them by the arrangements made under 465 Section 15 (2) (e) for securing attendance for them on the same terms as for insured persons.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI will either have it placed in the Vote Office, if it is a Parliamentary Paper, or send it to all those who desire it.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWill the right hon. Gentleman call the special attention of societies to this third alternative form of benefit for those over sixty-five, and in the case of societies which have adopted either one of the previous alternatives, will they be allowed to change and adopt this third alternative?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI will answer both questions in the affirmative so far as the Commissioners are concerned. I will gladly call the attention of societies to the special circular because I think it is largely desired, and in so far as societies can change under the conditions of their rules, we shall offer no objection.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWill the right hon. Gentleman send the circular to the societies saying he will not object, and that he will give facilities? This is very important.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI quite agree. I will do everything I can to let them see they can do this.