§ 28. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health whether he will provide a travelling allowance for patients who have to make frequent and long journeys to hospital.
§ Mr. CrookshankPatients' travelling expenses are paid where the National Assistance Board consider that otherwise hardship would be caused.
§ Dr. StrossIs the Minister not aware that in many cases in which National Assistance cannot be invoked, and in which, if it is invoked, it is done reluctantly, many men, especially in North Staffordshire and similar areas, particularly miners, have to spend a very considerable sum of money each week in travelling as out-patients to and from hospitals? In view of the fact that the total sum saved has been £1 million or less, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole problem?
§ Mr. CrookshankNo I can hold out no hopes of doing that in the present financial circumstances, apart from the, circumstances dealt with in my reply.