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Motion made, and Question proposed,
That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £506,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1920, for the Salaries and Expenses of the National Health Insurance Joint Committee (including sundry Grants-in-Aid).
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Dr. Addison)This Vote is in respect of Grants-in-Aid on account of the increased cost of living to medical practitioners under the National Insurance Act. The amounts in the aggregate represent a war bonus of 18 per cent. It was arranged that, so far as possible, small incomes should receive an increase of 30 per cent. where the in-come was less than £500, 20 per cent. where it was between that sum and £1,200, and 15 per cent. Where it was over £1,200. In all cases it represents an addition to remuneration far less than the equivalent of the increased cost of living, and considerably less than the grants made to the Civil Service.
§ Captain ELLIOTThere is a saving of £30,000 in the sanatorium benefit (special grants), and I should be very glad if the right hon. Gentleman would say something about that.
§ Dr. ADDISONThis is only in connection with increased grants for sanatoria, which will appear on other Votes.
Question put, and agreed to.