§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the uncertainty which now exists amongst insurance practitioners by reason of the failure of the voluntary schemes for the protection of the medical practices of doctors who are whole-time on national work, including service with the Forces, and the amendment of the Allocation Scheme by some insurance committees under the Medical Benefit Amendment Regulations (No. 4) of 1939, as two methods are operative in some areas, namely, the voluntary scheme up to the commencement of the amendment of the 1057W Allocation Scheme, and thereafter the amended Allocation Scheme, and as, in the case of practices operating within several insurance committee areas, the voluntary scheme applies to certain patients and the amended Allocation Scheme with differing commencing dates in others; and whether he will consider a unified scheme?
§ Mr. ElliotI am aware that the protection of practices schemes applicable in neighbouring areas are not always uniform. The schemes are, however, promoted by mutual arrangement between the local representative bodies concerned, and I see no sufficient reason for the imposition by myself of a unified scheme.