§ 12. Mr. Messerasked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that the amount expended as allowances under Circular 266T is less than was estimated, he will reconsider the position of those tubercular patients at present excluded from benefit.
§ Mr. BevanThese allowances were authorised as a war service measure, and 2508 it is not within my power to vary the present scope of the scheme. All tuberculosis patients will be covered by the provision for disability which forms part of the forthcoming National Insurance Scheme.
§ Mr. MesserDoes my right hon Friend mean that he has no power to vary or to introduce new Regulations? Is he aware that this means that as soon as an allowance stops it is because the patient is no longer capable of cure, and that it is a sentence of death?
§ Mr. BevanI very much sympathise with the intention behind my hon. Friend's question, but 1 have no power at the moment, and I think it would be unwise to introduce legislation. This point will be assimilated in the National Insurance Scheme next year.