§ 23. Sir Leonard Lyleasked the Minister of Health what proportion of persons insured at present under the National Health Contributory Scheme do not choose or use any panel doctor at all; and what proportion choose but do not use one.
§ Mr. WillinkThe proportion of insured persons who have not chosen panel doctors is at present about six per cent., but probably most of these are recent entrants into insurance who will exercise their right of choice at some future time. The average proportion before the war was between two and three per cent. No information is available as to the proportion of insured persons who choose a doctor but do not make use of his services.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesIs it not a fact that there is a percentage of people in this country, as in every other country, who are never ill at all and die suddenly?
§ Mr. WillinkThat is why there is no information as to the second part of the Question.