HC Deb 18 October 1949 vol 468 c461
11. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps are being taken to supervise sickness claims and to prevent abuse of the provisions of the insurance and health services.

Mr. J. Griffiths

The steps taken to supervise sickness benefit claims under the National Insurance Act are broadly the same as those followed by the approved societies under the old National Health Insurance scheme, namely, careful scrutiny of claims, sick visiting in selected cases and the use of the regional medical service of the Health Departments to obtain second medical opinions in cases of doubt. Responsibility for the administration of the Health Services rests, of course, with my right hon. Friends, the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Sir W. Smithers

What is the good of referring to old methods? Is it not a fact that under the policy of Socialism the administration has completely broken down, as I warned the right hon. Gentleman on 2nd November, 1944, that it would?

Mr. Griffiths

The administration is working very well.

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