§ 39. Mr. Higgsasked the Minister of Health whether the regulations permit medical practitioners to make a charge to panel patients for the issue of doctors' certificates for ill-health when these are demanded by an employer?
§ Mr. E. BrownInsurance medical practitioners are required to give medical certificates only for the purposes of the National Health Insurance Acts. They are not forbidden to give and charge for certificates required for other purposes.
§ Mr. HiggsIs the Minister aware that these charges are being made, and that often they are as much as 1s. or 2s. 6d. for each certificate, and is he aware that this is a serious burden on low wage-earners?
§ Mr. BrownPerhaps the hon. Member will give me some information about the matter from his angle. I have stated what the law is.
§ Mr. HiggsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the charges are being made and will he make provision to stop them?
§ Mr. BuchananIn the case where a man is a member of an approved society, for which he needs one health certificate, and also a member of a friendly society, for which he needs another, will the Minister make some arrangement for a copy of the certificate to be granted and so save great expense?