§ 41. Sir P. MAGNUSasked whether the amounts due to doctors for the year 1916 have been computed; when the balance outstanding will be paid; and whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living, a small sum could be released forthwith?
§ Sir EDWIN CORNWALLThe accounting operations are being expedited as much as possible with a view to enabling insurance committees to effect an emergency settlement with doctors for 1916, and it is hoped that the necessary information will be in the hands of committees within a few weeks. I understand that insurance committees have already advanced to the doctors as large a sum as can safely be paid in anticipation of the settlement, and I doubt whether any additional advances, entailing, as they would, a serious risk of overpayment and subsequent recovery from the doctor, would in these circumstances be welcomed by the profession.