§ 4. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reason for allowing doctors who have no panel practice to serve on the National Health Insurance Committee of the borough of Glasgow; and are they required to pay subscriptions similar to the panel doctors?
§ Mr. SKELTONThe arrangements for the appointment of Panel Committees in Scotland are laid down in regulations, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. These regulations provide that only medical practitioners who are under agreement to treat insured persons shall be entitled to take part in the election of members of Panel Committees, that all the members shall be duly qualified medical practitioners, and that not less than two-thirds of the members shall be practitioners under agreement to treat insured persons. I have no reason to think that the provision whereby these committees may include a certain proportion of non-panel practitioners is other than a desirable one. The arrangement under which the administration expenses of the Panel Committee for the Burgh of Glasgow are defrayed by means of a system of voluntary subscriptions by practitioners is a private one made, I understand, by the practitioners themselves.
§ Mr. McGOVERNCan the hon. Gentleman toll me whether it is a breach of the rules to allow medical men who have no panel practice to serve, or is it in conformity with the rules?
§ Mr. SKELTONIt is in conformity with the rules, with the qualification that the hon. Member will see in my answer.