§ 56. Mr. ALDENasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a number of chemists in certain counties have not yet been paid for the first quarter's working of the National Insurance Act, and that many of these men are unable to give credit for long periods owing to the fact that they themselves have to pay cash to the wholesale druggists; and whether, under the circumstances, he will arrange that these accounts shall be paid as speedily as possible?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, Sir. As I have previously pointed out, the regulations which are incorporated in the agreements entered into by the chemists provide for periodical advances, although a final settlement can only be made at the end 1213 of the medical year. Advances have already been made, in some cases up to 75 per cent. of the accounts rendered up to the end of last quarter, and I am not aware of any case in which payments have not been made where accounts have been rendered.