§ LORD ASHBOURNEAs this may be the last occasion on which one can ask a question with reference to the National Insurance Bill, I take the opportunity of putting a question to the noble Earl opposite. I would like to know how many doctors it is anticipated will be required to work the Bill, and how many it is expected will be willing to work the Bill, and it there is any deficiency how it is proposed to proceed with that Part of the Bill. Another point to which I desire to ask attention is this. Many thousands of persons are affected, and I wish to know what, if any, provision will be taken to secure, that qualifications of an adequate kind will lie laid down with regard to the filling of the appointments under the Bill, and what steps will be taken to indicate to the persons who make the appointments that, they are to be guided by public and not by Party considerations—that they air lo be influenced in making the appointments by rigorous consideration of the qualifications that are needed and the character and position of the men who apply. I would also ask whether those qualifications when they are laid down will apply, not only to England, but also to Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPI regret that my noble friend in charge of the Bill should not be here to answer these questions. There will be a further opportunity of interrogation, I think, fit the sitting tomorrow if the noble mid learned Lord finds my answers insufficient, and on that occasion no doubt the noble Viscount will be glad to give fuller and more detailed answers than I am able to do without notice. I may say, with regard to the first inquiry, that it is the hope of the Government that all the doctors in the country will be ready and willing to work under the Bill.
§ LORD ASHBOURNEHas the noble I Earl seen the account of the proceedings at the doctors' meeting at Manchester yesterday?
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPI have seen the report referred to and the statement that a certain number of doctors would be unwilling to act under the Bill. Very often resolutions of this kind are passed at gatherings of such a nature, but I am glad that they are not always acted upon afterwards. I hope, that this may be so in the present case, and that the doctors generally throughout the country, when they see the provisions which are made and the regulations that will be issued by the Insurance Commissioners, will be ready to net under the Bill. But, as I lie noble and learned Lord probably knows, the system will be that the doctors' names will be placed upon a panel, and then that each, individual may choose whatever doctor he likes from that panel.
§ LORD ASHBOURNEBut must not the doctors having their names on the panel be parties to it?
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPI think I said that they will lie on the panel. Their names will be on the panel, and the various people will choose whichever doctor they like. We both hope and believe that there will be an amply sufficient supply of doctors on that panel for the patients to be able to secure proper medical attendance. With regard to patronage, I think that an undertaking has been given in another place with regard to the general question, of appointments under this Bill, and I can assure the noble and learned Lord in any case that what lie is afraid of is not really likely to occur. I believe, though I should not be ready to say it offhand and cannot give chapter and verse for it, that a pledge has been given that these appointments will be made under the Civil Service regulations.
§ LORD ASHBOURNEDoes that apply to Scotland and Ireland?
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPYes.
§ House adjourned at One o'clock, till To-morrow, Twelve o'clock.