§ Mr. WILESasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is aware that many of the London chemists' accounts rendered for drugs supplied under the. National Health Insurance Act during November and December of last year have not yet been paid; will he state the reasons for this delay which is causing such inconvenience; and will he say when a settlement of these overdue payments may be expected?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Regulations provide for an annual settlement only, and, pending a settlement in respect of the remuneration due to chemists for the whole year, any payments made are of the nature of advances only. The Commissioners are informed that the Committee have made advances to an amount equal to nearly 75 per cent. of the total accounts for the year, the checking of which has not as yet been completed.