§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions, who are not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme, received general practitioner treatment in respect of their pensionable disabilities at the cost of the Ministry of Pensions during each of the 12 months ended 31st March, 1936, 1937, and 1938?
48W
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe total numbers of "Other Ranks" who, not being covered by the National Health Insurance Acts, received general practitioner treatment at the expense of the Ministry of Pensions in respect of their pensionable disabilities, were as follow:
Year ending 31st March: 1936 … … … 750 1937 … … … 769 1938 … … … 781
§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions surrendered their pension order books to chief area officers, in accordance with the instruction contained in that book, consequent upon their becoming eligible for the payment of treatment allowances, and what proportion does this number represent of the total of disability pensioners who received treatment at the hands of the Ministry during each of the 12 months ended 31st March, 1936, 1937, and 1938?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe numbers of ex-service men receiving in-patient treatment in 1936, 1937, 1938, were respectively 8,635, 8,045 and 7,888. All recipients of pension admitted to in-patient treatment by this Ministry are required to hand their order books to the Chief Area Officer and in return the appropriate allowances are granted. As regards out-patient and home treatment provided, the numbers of pensioners who surrendered their books are not recorded.
§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions returned their pension order book to the pension issue office, in accordance with the instruction contained in that book, consequent upon their admission to a mental hospital, public assistance hospital, Poor Law hospital, workhouse, poorhouse, county home, or other Poor Law institution, during each of the 12 months ended 31st March, 1936, 1937 and 1938?
§ Mr. RamsbothamNo record is maintained of these cases which would enable the information required to be furnished.
§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Health how many ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions, who are not covered by the national health insurance scheme and whose total income does not 49W exceed £160 per year, are availing themselves of the privilege of free medical treatment as non-insured persons; and how many applications have been received for this privilege during recent periods for which figures are available?
§ Sir K. Wood:The number of uninsured war pensioners entitled to medical benefit at 31st December, 1937, was 10,883. One thousand and fifty men were admitted to title to the benefit in the year 1936 and 86o in the year 1937.