45. Dr. V. DAVIESasked the Minister of Health, in view of his decision under the National Health Insurance Regulations that a spinal jacket required for the treatment of tuberculosis of the spine is regarded as a splint, but that a spinal jacket required for the treatment of lateral curvature of the spine, which is often due to tuberculosis, is not a splint and therefore cannot be supplied to insured persons, if he will state his reasons for arriving at such a decision?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe reason why a different view was taken with respect to the appliances in the particular cases in question is that I have to look not to the name given to an appliance but to the precise object which it is intended to serve. I have invited the Insurance Acts Committee of the British Medical Association to discuss with my Department the difficulties of defining splints for the purposes of medical benefit, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the letter conveying the invitation which will indicate to him what are the points at issue.
Mr. ERSKINEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many osteopaths who cure curvature of the spine completely, without any appliances whatsoever?