§ 48. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the anxiety felt by panel chemists in Manchester owing to the deficiency in the drug fund in that district under the National Insurance Act and the non-payment of a large portion of their accounts for 1913, he will give a pledge on behalf of the Government that they will all be paid in full?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have pointed out that I have no knowledge myself of these matters. I think the question ought to be addressed to my hon. Friend beside me. No occasion arises for such an undertaking as that asked for in the question. The amount of the remuneration payable to the Manchester panel chemists is governed by the contracts into which they have entered with the Manchester Insurance Committee; and they will receive the whole of the sums due to them under those contracts.
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONI apologise for asking the Prime Minister that question. Is it not a fact that these chemists are not in the least responsible for the nature of the prescriptions ordered by the doctors?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would ask the hon. Gentleman to put that question down on the Paper.
§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the chemists in the Manchester and Salford district, numbering 150, are really £1,600–
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSON£16,000.
§ Sir W. BYLESDeficient of money which they themselves earned during last year? What I want to know is whether they have to lose that money?
Mr. BENNMy hon. Friend is aware that a joint committee of doctors and chemists are going through the accounts.