§ 57. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board, 745 as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether any revision in the terms of insurance practitioners are contemplated; and, particularly, whether any extension of the present medical service is under consideration and can be indicated?
§ Major ASTORThe original arrangements for the conditions of service of insurance practitioners arrived at in 1912 were to have been subject to revision in 1915; but, owing to war conditions, that revision was postponed. In March of last year, as a result of a deputation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, certain temporary augmentation of the insurance practitioners' remuneration was agreed to by the Government on war grounds; and, at the doctor's request, preparatory to revision both of the services to be rendered and of the remuneration to be paid, preliminary discussions were entered into, on both these aspects of the matter, and also as to the possibility and desirability of some extension or enlargement of the existing services, with a view to arriving at some new arrangements to take effect (it would be hoped) in 1920. The issues involved are complicated and difficult, and need further consideration and discussion with the Advisory Committee and others concerned. No statement can be made at present.