60. Mr. NEWDEGATEasked whether, in view of the inconvenience suffered by patients, he can now state whether kidney belts will be included among appliances supplied under the National Insurance Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs I stated on the 11th instant, the suggestion is receiving consideration.
Mr. NEWDEGATEWhat will happen to these people who are suffering while these things are being considered?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe whole question of the schedule, including the suggestions, are under consideration. I have no doubt there will be some speedy result.
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat I cannot say off-hand; a few days, I should think.
§ 64. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked what an insured person is to do who has paid into the insurance fund as soon as the Act came into operation, and who, after being ill at Steyning for a few weeks, has gone to Eastbourne to recruit, and on again becoming ill there has been unable to obtain medical attendance under the National Insurance Act, having applied to four different doctors, all of whom refused to attend to her, in consequence of which she has had to pay herself for medical attendance?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe proper course in such a case would have been for the insured person to have notified the Eastbourne insurance committee. If the hon. Member will supply me with particulars of the case which he has in mind I will make inquiries.
§ Mr. GWYNNEIf the committee does not meet for a fortnight, has the insured person, though ill, to wait till then?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe insurance committee must make arrangements with its permanent officials to meet such cases.
§ Sir PHILIP MAGNUSWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to simplify the Regulations under which an insured person, changing temporarily his residence, can obtain medical benefit? They seem very complicated now.
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf the hon. Member or hon. Members can make the Regula- 1181 tions more simple for the general convenience in accordance with the Act I shall only be too glad to lay them before the Commissioners.
§ 65. Mr. GWYNNEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether money has been sent by the Insurance Commissioners to approved societies for the payment of benefits; whether he is aware that in many cases secretaries of friendly societies have had to advance sickness and maternity benefit out of their own pockets, and have not yet received repayment; and whether friendly societies or their secretaries are expected in the first instance to finance the Government scheme?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe sum of £1,226,405 had been issued by the English Commission up to the 11th instant to societies approved under the National Insurance Act for payment of benefits and expenses of administration. Some 700 societies have elected to finance their own expenditure subject to reimbursement under the proviso to Section 26 (1) of the Act instead of giving security to the Commissioners under that Section. This course has been voluntarily adopted by the societies, and subject to a reserve pending audit, the amount expended is promptly repaid from the National Health Insurance Fund month by month upon application. Every approved society which has given security and has applied for funds has received the funds required for the payment of insurance benefits and no such friendly society is expected in the first instance to finance the Government scheme.