HC Deb 16 June 1913 vol 54 cc12-3
10. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in South Wales, medical aid societies are being formed into which insured persons are brought and medical men imported, who join the panel as whole-time servants of such societies on a fixed salary, the local insurance committees encouraging insured persons to make their own arrangements, under Section 15, Sub-section (3), with such medical aid societies, and to provide for their dependants by deductions from wages; whether such medical aid societies are paid by the insurance committees the sum due for medical attendance to insured persons, such payments being then pooled, and medical men being required to attend insured persons and their dependants for 6s. 6d. per head; and whether the Act contemplates, and the Government approves of, such a scheme?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)

Two insurance committees have in a few instances allowed bodies of insured persons to make their own arrangements with medical aid societies attached to certain works in South Wales. Under these circumstances the insurance committees propose to make a contribution to the cost of providing medical attendance for the insured in conformity with Section 15, Sub-section (3) of the Insurance Act and Section 49 of the Regulations with respect to the administration of medical benefit. The sum contributed by the insurance committee will in no case be greater than the amount for which the medical society undertakes the treatment of the insured person. The payment made in respect of dependants is not within the purview of the insurance committee.

Mr. F. HALL

Was South Wales the first to get the benefit of this under the Insurance Act in this way?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I am not sure whether medical aid societies are being dealt with in other parts. I think there are some in the north of England. Of course the members of the committees are now at liberty to make their own arrangements.

Mr. F. HALL

Is the House to understand that South Wales is to get this extra benefit?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I would not call that an extra privilege. I do not know whether South Wales is the only place where these arrangements were made.