§ Mr. ADAMSONasked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if any and what action has been taken by the Commissioners under powers conferred upon them by 1 and 2 Geo. V., c. 55, s. 63 (2, b); and, if none, may it be deduced from that want of action that no insanitary conditions of environment calling for their attention exist in England or Wales?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLNo action could have been taken under this Section until last year, since sickness benefits had not been paid for the minimum period of three years required by the Section until 12th January, 1916. To enable the Com-2046W missioners to proceed under the Section a large amount of material would have to be supplied by approved societies, and, in view of the general it unsettlement of the rates of sickness resulting from the War, it is doubtful whether, even if the data could be obtained in present circumstances, an application would succeed so long as the present artificial standard of normal sickness laid down by the Section remains. Clause 36 of the National Health Insurance Bill now before Parliament provides for the Amendment of the Section in this respect.
§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Comptroller of the Household whether a complaint reached him regarding the refusal of a panel doctor. T. Laird, of Hornby House, Heywood, Lancashire, to attend during child-birth upon a Mrs. Hutchinson, an insured person, on the ground that he was too busy, and that three other doctors in the district also declined upon professional grounds; that the husband, home on leave from France, and one of the other doctors personally appealed to Dr. Laird, who still refused to attend, when it became necessary to convey the woman to the Bury Infirmary, three miles away, where both mother and child died; and whether, under such circumstances, if steps cannot be taken to remove Dr. Laird's name from the panel, provision will be made in the amending Bill now before the House to deal with similar cases?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLYes, Sir; this very regrettable case has been brought to my notice. It must be remembered that the services in question are not amongst those which the panel doctor is under any agreement with the Insurance Committee to provide, so that the incident affords no ground for considering his removal from the panel, as suggested. In reply to the latter part of the question, I may say that the question of making provision, under national health insurance, for medical attendance for insured women at confinement will not require legislation, as the hon. Member suggests; I recognise the importance of the need for this extension of insurance medical services, and am giving it earnest consideration at the present time.