23. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received repeated representations from insurance agents employed to do the work of approved societies to the effect that their remuneration for such work is inadequate; whether he can assure the House that their remuneration is adequate; if not, whether he will take steps to satisfy himself whether it is adequate or inadequate; and, if he has no power to interfere, whether he will seek power from Parliament to secure that all persons who are employed in the administration of public funds are adequately paid for the services so rendered?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)Representations have been received by my right hon. Friend, but he is not of opinion that he can properly interfere in the matter.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer agrees with the suggestion that these insurance agents who are employed to do the work of the approved societies are persons employed in the administration of public funds?
§ Mr. BOOTHIs my hon. Friend not aware that the main principle of the Act is to give independence and full local control over their own affairs to approved societies?
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the trade union representing these men threatens to strike in case the pay is not raised.
36. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, if he will state in what respect the position of the doctors who have contracted with the insurance committees to supply medical attendance and treatment to insured persons differs from the position of insurance agents who are employed to do the work of approved societies, so as to make it proper that he 1510 should inform the House as to the amount of remuneration of the doctors and improper that he should inform the House as to the remuneration of the insurance agents?
§ Mr. BENNAll doctors on the panel are under a statutory contract to render similar service to the insured persons on their lists, whereas the services rendered by officials or agents of approved societies vary indefinitely according to the organisation of the particular society, and are consequently remunerated upon different terms. In addition insurance committees do not, as societies do, pay for, and control, work done by the same individuals outside the Act. The cases are not therefore analogous.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTDoes that answer imply that the terms of remuneration of the doctors are fixed by Statute?
§ Mr. BENNNo. What the answer says is that the doctors are under a statutory contract to render similar services to all the insured persons on their lists.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIs there anything in the Act imposing the duty upon or granting the power to the Commissioners to concern themselves with the remuneration of the doctors, whilst a similar power or duty is not granted or imposed with regard to the insurance agents?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs not the main difference that the doctors are well organised while the insurance agents are not?
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answers, I propose to raise this question on the Adjournment to-night.