§ 19. Mr. Mott-Radclyffeasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that an official of his Department at Slough recently cross-questioned an applicant for sick benefit, whose name and address have been supplied to the Minister, as to why, in certain circumstances, he employed the services of a private doctor, and what fee had been paid; and whether he will issue instructions that this interference into the rights of the private citizen shall cease forthwith.
§ Mr. SteeleI am looking into this matter, and I will write to the hon. Member when my inquiries are complete.
§ Mr. Mott-RadclyffeYes, but would not the hon. Gentleman agree that this is highly reprehensible conduct, that one of the officials of his Department should cross-question an applicant as to whether he had employed the services of a private doctor, and should try to persuade him not to do so? Surely an individual should be left freely to choose a doctor from inside the scheme or outside, as he wishes?
§ Mr. SteeleAny practice of this kind contained in the allegation would, of course, be entirely unauthorised, but I should like to make further investigations before making any further comment.