45. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Prime Minister if he will consider the desirability of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the working of the Health Insurance Acts, the terms of reference to include the establishment of national dental and optical clinics with a view to the benefits becoming ordinary benefits, the possibility of increasing cash benefits, 217 and a revision of the actuarial basis so that some portion of the reserves may be made available for the provision of the increased benefits suggested?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)I have been asked to reply. A Royal Commission, whose terms of reference covered the whole field of National Health Insurance, presented its Report as recently as February last year, and its recommendations are now under consideration.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs there any intention of nationalising the dental and optical professions?
§ Sir K. WOODI cannot make any statement.
Dr. VERNON DAVIESCan my hon. Friend say when we are likely to have legislation bearing upon the recommendations?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir.
59. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Health the number of persons aged 65 or over who will cease to be eligible for sick or disablement benefit after 2nd January, 1928; and if he can furnish the numbers in receipt of sick benefit and disablement benefit separately?
§ Sir K. WOODThe number of insured persons who, by reason of having attained the pensionable age of 65, will cease to be entitled to sickness and disablement benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts on 2nd January next is estimated at 355,000. It is impossible to say how many of these will be actually in receipt of either benefit on 2nd January next, but the numbers are not likely to exceed 25 per cent. of the whole.