§ 78 and 79. Lord NINIAN CRICHTON-STUARTasked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether he is aware that there are a number of members of friendly societies 603 who are permanently sick persons and who receive sick pay varying from 2s. to 5s. per week; whether these persons are ineligible for State insurance; whether they are now deprived of the medical benefit that they have hitherto enjoyed; (2) whether permanently sick persons who are members of friendly societies will now have to pay a medical fee on an increased scale to that which they have paid before the National Insurance Act came into force; and, if so will the State in any way help these members to pay the increased fee?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)I have no evidence to show that the fact that doctors on the panels are receiving a larger remuneration than hitherto in respect of insured persons is necessitating an expenditure upon uninsured persons of a much higher fee than that for which they have been treated in the past.
§ 80. Lord N. CRICHTON-STUARTasked whether jobbing men and small shop keepers, who are members of friendly societies and not compulsorily insured persons, will now be deprived of medical benefit at the same fee as paid by them before the National Insurance Act came into force?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf the persons to whom the hon. Member refers have become voluntary contributors under the Insurance Act, they will receive medical benefit under the ordinary arrangements made by the insurance committee for other insured persons. If they do not become insured under the Act, its provisions do not affect them, and they are free to make such arrangements for medical attendance as they choose, either individually or through societies.