HC Deb 03 July 1939 vol 349 cc919-20
70. Mr. T. Smith

asked the Minister of Health how many of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance have been carried into effect either by legislation or by administrative action?

Mr. Bernays

The majority report of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance contained 72 definite recommendations for modification of the scheme of national health insurance, and of these 59 have been carried into effect either by legislation or by administrative action.

Mr. Smith

Is the hon. Member aware that there is a growing feeling in the country about the inadequacy of the national health machinery both in regard to benefits and the limitation of medical benefits to injured persons, and can he say whether we may anticipate in the near future any legislative action on the lines suggested in the recommendations of the Royal Commission?

Mr. Bernays

I am not in a position to make any statement on that matter.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Is the hon. Member aware that the right hon. Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill) when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer deprived the national health insurance of millions of State subsidy—

Mr. Speaker

That is entirely a different question.