HC Deb 11 February 1913 vol 48 c720W
Mr. O'DONNELL

asked whether insured persons in Ireland have been put to considerable inconvenience in getting sickness benefits owing to the refusal of doctors to sign certificates except at exorbitant prices; and what steps will be taken to meet this difficulty?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I am informed by the Irish Commission that a certain amount of difficulty has arisen in Ireland in connection with sickness certificates. A sum of £50,000 is being taken in the Supplementary Estimate, which will be to a large extent available for defraying the reasonable cost of such certificates. As I stated, however, in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Barrow-in-Furness on 30th January, societies can adopt alternative methods of obtaining evidence of illness if excessive fees are charged for medical certificates; and the Irish Commissioners have issued to all societies and branches, transacting business under the National Insurance Act in Ireland, a circular pointing out that societies may, if they think fit, obtain evidence of illness by the adoption of a system of lay visitors, by the inspection of medical relief registers, or by the acceptance of a written statement from a clergyman, magistrate, or other responsible person who can testify to the claimant's incapacity for work.