30. MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Secretary to the Treasury in what part of the tariff for drugs and appliances set up by the National Insurance Act are splints other than arm splints mentioned; under what Section of the Regulations can other splints be obtained without the patient having to pay for them; and in what part of the tariff is medicated wool mentioned?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Second Schedule to the medical benefit Regulations issued by the Insurance Commission has provided that any kind of splints and of cotton and wood wools properly 469 required as part of medical benefit can be claimed. The Regulations have laid down no such limitation as is suggested in the question.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEMay I ask why the tariff published only mentions cotton wool, and whether if this is a mistake, he will publish that medicated wool is probably the thing most wanted?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think medicated wool is a variety of cotton wool which is allowed by the tariff in the Schedule. I am not aware of any limitation.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that a certain committee has already written to say that medicated wool is not on the tariff, and that therefore a patient will have to pay for it?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am not aware of it, but I will be very glad to look into the matter if the Noble Lord will furnish information.