§ 62. Mr. FREDERICK WHYTEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it will be possible, under the National Insurance Act (1911) Amendment Bill for disabled members of approved societies, principally those of advanced age, who could not become insured persons owing to disablement, receipt of sick pay, and other causes on 12th July, 1912, to obtain medical benefit by means of the same payments as those made by ordinary insured persons even where their societies did not provide medical benefit prior to the passing of the National Insurance Act?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)Clause 1 (2) of the Amending Bill is designed to enable the agreement between the doctors 593 and the friendly societies to be carried out whereby those members who could not become insured persons owing to age and disablement should be able to obtain the medical attendance and treatment to which they had hitherto been entitled; and is necessarily limited to that object.
69. Mr. F. HALLasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will publish a transcript of the shorthand notes of the interview he had on 5th May, 1913, with the representatives of friendly societies on the proposed Amendments of the National Insurance Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, Sir. As I have already stated in the House, the conference in question was confidential and no shorthand note was taken.
Mr. F. HALLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he said last week that an official representative of the Manchester Unity was present?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI said Parliamentary agent.