§ 99. Sir PHILIP MAGNUSasked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether, under the medical panel system as administered by the Commissioners and committees, no injury or injustice for alleged breach of agreement can be submitted to a Court of Law for redress or compensation; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among medical panel practitioners on account of the privilege which is apparently enjoyed by the Commissioners of acting as judges in their own cause; and whether he will take steps to remove this reason for dissatisfaction, by legislation or otherwise, which tends to impede the satisfactory discharge of the responsible duties undertaken by panel doctors?
The COMPTROLLER of the HOUSEHOLD (Mr. Roberts)The hon. Member is under some misapprehension. Insurance committees can, in appropriate circumstances, be sued by doctors who have entered into agreements with them. It is true that on certain matters, at the request of the medical profession itself, the Insurance Commissioners have accepted the responsibility of adjudicating between committees and doctors, and I have every reason to believe that this procedure has given general satisfaction.
§ Sir P. MAGNUSAm I to understand that the hon. Member will take no steps to remove the cause of dissatisfaction which is felt very strongly by nearly the whole body of panel practitioners?
§ Sir P. MAGNUSIf I give evidence, will the hon. Gentleman consider it?