§ 21. Mr. JOHN WARDasked how many insurance committees have made adequate provision under the National Insurance Act for the treatment of sanatoria patients, how many have made partial provision, and how many have made no provision at all; and whether the Insurance Commission intends to withhold the whole or any portion of the allowance made to insurance committees who have failed in this duty or negligently performed it?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am not aware of any insurance committees who have failed to make proper provision for the treatment of insured persons suffering from tuberculosis. A Return has been laid showing that up to the 30th April last, two months ago, over 19,000 persons had received sanatorium benefit, 10,239 of whom have been treated in sanatoria and other residential institutions.
26. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked whether the Secretary to the Treasury will expedite the giving of sanatorium institutional treatment to No. 895 A 0 52, of Society No. 214, who was granted three months' sanatorium treatment by the Lancashire Insurance Committee on 26th May, and was informed on 2nd June that he would be admitted to an institution as soon as there was a bed, and who in consequence got leave of absence from his firm for three months, of which two only are now left; and how many other cases within the jurisdiction of the Lancashire Insurance Committee are waiting for admission to a sanatorium for institutional treatment?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am informed that the insured person referred to was recommended on the 2nd of this month for sanatorium treatment, and that he will be admitted to a sanatorium as soon as possible. The number of cases in the area awaiting removal to sanatoria is 105, who I assume are receiving domiciliary treatment.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWhat number on the list is this patient, and how long is he likely to be kept waiting?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI would have given the information with pleasure if I had been given notice.