§ 12. Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the Secretary to the Board of Education, as Vice-Chairman of the Committee on the Provision of Free Medical Attendance and Drugs, when necessary to the dependants 930 of men serving with the Army, whether any arrangements have been arrived at to make use of the offer of the British Medical Association to provide free medical attendance to such dependants; and what arrangements have been made for the supply of the necessary medicines?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Dr. Addison)The special committee set up for the purpose have prepared a scheme for utilising the generous offer of the British Medical Association and have issued instructions to local representative committees in England and Wales, together with a supply of special medical books for issue to suitable dependants of men serving with the Army or the Navy. The scheme is now in operation throughout England and Wales, except in a few areas where a local scheme had been adopted. The local arrangements vary, but, as a rule, the books, which are accepted as evidence of bona fides by doctors and chemists working under the scheme, are issued by the local representative committee, assisted by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association. The scheme has also been brought into operation in Scotland, where it is being worked by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association. The Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain generously offered on behalf of their members to supply the necessary medicines and appliances at cost price. The cost price of medicines and appliances supplied under the scheme is being defrayed from a grant made out of the Prince of Wales's Fund. The work of checking and pricing prescriptions is being undertaken at considerable expense by the Pharmaceutical Society under a system approved and inspected by the committee.