§ 20. Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a protest from the Merthyr Tydvil Borough Insurance Committee against having the new model, or stock medicine, Clause of the Insurance Commissioners forced upon them; whether this proposal is a return to the discarded Poor Law system; and what action he proposes taking to safeguard the rights of local insurance committees in this matter?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The provision referred to, however, which merely relates to the pricing of certain mixtures, in no way affects the standard of quality either of the medical treatment or of the drugs required to be supplied, which continue to be subject to the same conditions and safeguards as hitherto. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that there is no ground for the apprehensions expressed in the question.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEThen, are these local committees to have out-of-date Regulations forced upon them, even when they are unanimously opposed to them?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe Regulations are not out of date, but the object of the Commissioners is to safeguard the stock mixture generally employed in most parts of the country.