§ 30. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked whether the Secretary to the Treasury is aware that members of friendly societies who were sixty-five years of age and upwards on 15th July last, or who through permanent disablement at that date were unable to become insured persons under the Act, are called on to nay increased contributions for medical attendance and treatment, and that doctors are refusing to accept such members except at a fee at 1193 least equal to that paid for insured members; and whether he will consider the possibility of paying the difference out of moneys provided by Parliament?
§ 32. Mr. MOUNTasked whether difficulty in obtaining medical attendance and treatment is being experienced by many members of friendly societies who were sixty-five years of age and upwards on 15th July last, or who, through permanent disablement at that date, were unable to become insured persons under the National Insurance Act except by payment of increased contributions for such treatment and attendance; and whether, in view of the hardship which is thereby entailed upon such people, the Secretary to the Treasury will take steps to see that some provision is made by moneys provided by Parliament to meet the increased payment which is necessary.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI propose to take Questions 30 and 32 together. I am aware that while some societies have been able to make satisfactory arrangements for the medical attendance of their uninsured members, in some districts the doctors are demanding higher rates of remuneration than the societies are prepared to give. As I have often stated, I cannot understand why the fact that doctors are receiving an additional grant in respect of insured members should make them demand not only the increase of about 50 per cent. (which societies are generally prepared to give), but an increase of nearly 100 per cent. in the rates they have hitherto been receiving for their uninsured patients.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman take the opportunity of bringing this matter before the doctors?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have been doing so. A letter of mine appears in "The British Medical Journal" this week.
§ 31. Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked whether doctors who are engaged as assistants and have covenanted with their employers not to open a practice within a given radius during a certain term of years, are thereby debarred from serving on the national health insurance panels within the areas specified in their contracts?
§ Mr. MASTERMANUnless debarred by the terms of the private contract, the doctors referred to would be entitled to be placed on the panel.