§ 44. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Minister of Health whether he contemplates any alteration in the terms of payment to doctors on the panel lists; and whether he proposes to consult with representatives of the approved societies on the matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINBefore the expiry of the present agreement at the end of this year, both the terms of service and the remuneration of insurance practitioners will have to be reconsidered. In reply to the second part of the question, the Insurance Consultative Council have already been consulted in regard to the terms of service, and will be consulted also as to the rate of remuneration. There is no other body representative of all the approved societies, but I shall be prepared to receive representations from the principal groups before coming to a final decision.
§ Sir K. WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that representatives of the 1204 medical profession have declined to meet representatives of approved societies to discuss this matter?
§ Major McKENZIE WOODDoes the right. hon. Gentleman think that this Council represents the approved societies?
Mr. FAIRBAIRNWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to consult the Insurance Committees in the country who are representative of all sections?
§ 57. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Health the number of doctors on the panel list, and the approximate annual amount they receive for their services; and whether there is any limitation of the number of insured persons who may be on an individual panel list?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe total number of insurance practitioners in England and Wales according to the latest return is 12,588. The total payments to them in 1922 amounted to approximately £6,750,000. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Rochdale on the 14th March.