77. Mr. F. HALLasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any proposal has been put forward by insurance committees to distribute among doctors on the panels, for which such committees are responsible, the surplus funds for medical services; if such a course would be in compliance with the National Insurance Act or regulations made thereunder; if he can state the present total amount of such surpluses; and whether any proportion represents the contributions in respect of persons who have not chosen a panel doctor although they may have required medical attendance since booming contributors?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. There is no surplus in the fund for medical benefit. The agreements entered into by the doctors on the panel of every insurance committee provide that the whole of the funds available for the medical treatment of insured persons under the arrangements made by the insurance committee shall be divided among the doctors who have entered into such agreements.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is said to be a sum of £30,000 or over unclaimed to the credit of the London Insurance Committee? What is going to be done with it?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf it is stated, it must be a considerable misstatement. No money can be unclaimed, because all the money has to go to the doctors on the panel.