HC Deb 16 June 1913 vol 54 cc17-8
23. Mr. NEWTON

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what arrangements, if any, have been made to enable an insured person who is compelled at a few hours' notice to leave the area in which his usual place of residence is situated in order to go into some other area in connection with his work, and who is taken ill upon his arrival in that area, to secure the medical attention for which he has paid?

Mr. MASTERMAN

Arrangements have been made whereby in the exceptional circumstances referred to the insured person can be furnished with a voucher entitling him to medical attendance from a doctor on the panel in the place in which he is taken ill.

Mr. NEWTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it would take probably two days to secure that voucher and how there-fore he is to have the benefit when as the question states he has to leave at a few hours' notice?

Mr. MASTER MAN

I do not think there is any suggestion that it would take two days to provide the voucher.

Mr. NEWTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the insured person has to write to the insurance committee and has to receive a letter enclosing an answer and how can that be done in the few hours mentioned?

Mr. MASTERMAN

That can be done in less than two days. I have no doubt the insured person would get the voucher if he went to the insurance committee's office immediately.

Mr. NEWTON

How is an insured person living in a remote part of the county of Essex to make a journey to the insurance committee's office in London to obtain a voucher when he has to leave his work at three or four hours' notice?

Dr. ADDISON

How are the insurance committee to supply a man with a voucher if they do not know that he wants one?

Mr. NEWTON

That is not an answer. Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question?

Mr. MASTERMAN

There is a difficulty—I have never denied it—if a man has suddenly to take a journey and is taken ill while on that journey. That difficulty must always exist under any system of insurance. But if a man knows that he is going on a journey he can without difficulty obtain a voucher on which he can obtain medical attendance.

Mr. NEWTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to meet the difficulty which he now acknowledges?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I should be delighted to have any suggestion from the hon. Gentleman or otherwise.