HC Deb 23 June 1913 vol 54 cc775-6
18. Major HOPE

asked how many county councils in Scotland have agreed to accept responsibility to pay half of any expenditure on the treatment of tuberculosis of insured persons over and above what is provided for the purpose from the National Health Insurance Fund?

Mr. MASTERMAN

One county council in Scotland has already agreed to sanction the expenditure referred to in the question, and other councils have the matter under consideration.

Mr.JAMES HOGGE

Is it not the case that, although there is only one, the others have not answered?

Mr. MASTERMAN

That seems to be the purport of my answer. It is under consideration in other counties.

19. Major HOPE

asked in how many counties in Scotland it has been found possible to provide adequate sanatorium benefit for insured persons without applying to the county councils for assistance from the rates under Section 17 of the National Insurance Act?

Mr. MASTERMAN

In all counties in Scotland insurance committees have provided adequate sanatorium benefit for insured persons. Six county insurance committees have further resolved to extend sanatorium benefit to dependants and have transmitted to the Commissioners estimates of expenditure on sanatorium benefit for insured persons and their dependants in terms of Section 17 of the National Insurance Act.

Major HOPE

How many have been able to provide adequate sanatorium benefit without applying for assistance from the rates?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I think they have in all cases provided adequate sanatorium benefit for insured persons; they do not go to the rates for that purpose.

Major HOPE

They apply to the county councils for assistance to provide sanatorium benefit?

Mr. MASTERMAN

Yes, certainly. They apply to the county councils for help in dealing with sanatorium benefit when wives and children are to be brought in under the Act.

Major HOPE

Are insured persons to be provided for without applying to the county councils?

Mr. MASTERMAN

That is the information I have received and read to the House.