§ 60. Mr. Buchananasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons covered by National Health Insurance who are approved with societies who have no additional benefits and the total of persons covered by National Health Insurance in Scotland?
Mr. WedderburnThe total membership of approved societies which have their head offices in Scotland or have separate valuations for Scotland is 1,650,000. Of this number, 370,000 are 894 members of societies which have no additional benefits.
§ Mr. BuchananWill the Under-Secretary take steps to see that something is done to aid the societies that are unable to pay additional benefits, and thus bring them into equal relationship with the other societies?
Mr. WedderburnThat question has often been raised before. I do not think it would be possible to make any alteration without upsetting the basis on which the business of the approved societies is conducted.