§ Dr. MORRIS-JONESasked the Minister of Health how many approved societies under the National Health Insurance Acts provide facilities for optical and/or ophthalmic advice and treatment for insured persons; whether there are any approved societies that do not provide such facilities; and, if so, whether he will give the names and numbers of such societies?
§ Mr. GREENWOODConsequent upon the second valuation 5,883 societies and branches in England and Wales, comprising nearly 12,000,000 members, have made arrangements to provide ophthalmic treatment, including the provision of optical appliances, as an additional benefit. 1,156 societies and branches, with about 1,700,000 insured members, do not provide this benefit, generally because their surpluses have been used for other benefits. I cannot undertake to give the names of these societies and branches.
§ 80. Dr. MORRIS-JONESasked the Minister of Health how many approved societies under the National Health Insurance Acts provide, or contribute towards, dental treatment for insured persons; whether there are any approved societies that do not provide or contribute towards such treatment; and, if so, whether he will state the number and names of such societies?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe number of approved societies and branches in England and Wales which contribute towards the cost of dental treatment of their members as an additional benefit is 6,545, covering 12,727,000 insured members. Only 494 societies and branches, with approximately 900,000 members, are not in a position to give dental benefit, either because they selected other additional benefits, or because they had no available surplus. I cannot undertake to give the names of these societies and branches.
§ Dr. MORRIS-JONESIs he aware that one of the most powerful of approved societies in the country does not contribute towards these additional benefits and treatment?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThat may be true, but it is within the discretion of an approved society to choose the form of additional benefits.