§ 33. Colonel ENGLANDasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the statement of the late principal medical officer of the Ministry of Health attacking the administration of the maternity benefit by the approved societies: and whether the preference expressed for its administration by local public health authorities is entertained by his present advisers?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe statement to which I assume that my hon. Friend refers was made, not by a late officer of the Ministry of Health, but by the former medical officer of the Local Government Board. The matter in question is within the purview of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance, and I propose to await their Report before expressing any opinion upon it.