§ 30. Mr. NIELDasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that the claim of Mr. A. W. Leonard, of Ealing, to make his own medical arrangements was granted in April, 1913, and that medical expenses were incurred of 7s. 6d., which sum was withheld for upwards of fifteen months, and in discharge thereof 5s. 1d. only has been recently offered by the Middlesex Insurance Committee, which sum consists of a dividend of 9s. 3½d. in the £ on the medical charges paid with charge for drugs in full; what is the reason for distinguishing between payments for medical charges and drugs as a basis for repayment; what 2092 are the reasons for the apparent insolvency of the fund; and whether it is proposed to attribute to these insured persons any portion of the accumulated funds created by insured persons making their own medical arrangements and paying their doctor apart from insurance contributions or benefits?
Mr. BENNThe facts as stated are correct. As to the rest, the only fund for such persons is the aggregate available in respect of their medical benefit. This limited amount has to be applied in the form of a dividend.