79. Major HOPEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Scottish Insurance Commissioners have refused to pay any part of a bill incurred by Mr. David Douglas, of Stow, Midlothian, for medical attendance from 2nd March to 23rd March; and whether, having regard to the fact that Mr. Douglas is a member of an approved society and had paid his full contributions since 15th July, 1912, and that no panel doctor was available 1441 on 2nd March, he will take steps to fulfil the contract for medical benefit for which Mr. Douglas paid from 15th July, 1912, to 2nd March, 1913?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am informed that the insured person in question was aware at the time when he required attendance of the arrangement made by the insurance committee in February last for the attendance and treatment of insured persons in Stow by a doctor on the panel, and that he nevertheless chose to consult a doctor who had no contract with the committee. The insurance committee have no power to make any payment for treatment obtained otherwise than under arrangements made by them, and he was so informed by the committee.
Major HOPEDoes the right hon. Gentleman know that at the time this man was taken ill no doctor had been appointed, that the ordinary doctor would not undertake the contract and that there was no doctor available for Mr. Douglas?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, I am not aware of that. I will make further inquiries.