§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what scale doctors are paid for certifying sickness under the National Insurance Act in England; what sum that is estimated to amount to annually; what the payments for this service amount to annually; the Irish branch of the British Medical Association having consented to accept that scale of payment, will he say why it has not been paid; what independent medical approval, if any, the Irish Insurance Commissioners have for the treatment of the sick which their different system of certification involves; and, seeing that out of £97,100, Ireland's equivalent for this purpose, only £44,000 is spent on it, will he say whether the balance of £53,100 goes into the Irish National Health Insurance Fund or is wholly lost to Ireland?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the DUCHY of LANCASTER (Mr. Montagu)There is no separate payment for the provision of certificates of incapacity for work under the 41 National Insurance Acts in England. The Exchequer Grant of 2s. 6d. per insured person (equal to about £1,300,000) is a Grant in aid of medical benefit generally, and this Grant secures not only the provision of certificates but also other services in connection with medical treatment and attendance. Any such comparison as that suggested by the hon. Member is, therefore, misleading. As regards the fourth and fifth part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the full reply which I gave to similar questions on 3rd March.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question that was in the previous question and left unanswered, namely, what independent medical approval, if any, the Irish Insurance Commissioners have for their treatment of the sick in this matter?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf the hon. Member will look at the answer I gave him on 1st March, he will find I have answered that.
§ Mr. GINNELLIt has not been answered. I beg to give notice that I will put down a further question.