HC Deb 27 July 1915 vol 73 cc2141-2
26. Mr. HANCOCK

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if he will state the reasons justifying the deductions insisted upon by the National Health Insurance Commissioners (England), in circular I.C.L. 124, of one-third of the quarterly accounts of panel practitioners, chemists, and institutions, after services have been rendered and an agreement has been entered into by each party?

Mr. C. ROBERTS (Comptroller of the Household)

There is no question of any deduction from or abatement of the remuneration payable under the agreements to which the hon. Member alludes. The circular in question had reference only to the subject of advances on account of that remuneration, and indicated the extent to which such advances might safely be made without risk of exceeding the sums which will ultimately prove to be due under those agreements.

27. Mr. HANCOCK

asked why there has been no advance on account nor adjustment of the deductions of 10 per cent. made in the accounts of doctors, chemists, and institutions for the year 1914; and whether the Government will instruct the Commissioners to deal with the deductions owing to enlistments upon a less arbitrary and more generous basis by a temporary increase of the Treasury Grant, if necessary, considering that the medical profession has undertaken the free treatment of soldiers' wives and families and other dependants and have lost the most healthy portion of their panel?

Mr. ROBERTS

The final settlement for 1914 has been unavoidably delayed by certain difficulties arising out of the present state of war. The balance due, which is considerably overestimated in the hon. Member's question, will be ascertained and paid as soon as is practicable; while in the case of the chemists, who might otherwise have suffered hardship, steps were taken in April last to effect an emergency settlement which is now in progress. In reply to the second part of the question, I cannot admit the implications of the hon. Member's epithets or his suggestion that a further sum should be provided by the Exchequer.