§ 79. Mr. Houseasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mrs. C. Barker, 118, Fairview Road, Penn, was refused a medical certificate by her doctor, of whose name he has been informed, on the ground that she attended an osteopath without the doctor's permission and thereby lost benefit from her friendly society; and if he will inquire into this case and take steps to rectify injustices of this nature.
§ Mr. BevanI am aware of the doctor's refusal to issue a medical certificate in this case. An insurance doctor is under no obligation to issue a medical certificate to a patient who is obtaining treatment from some other person without his consent. The payment of sickness benefit is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Insurance, but I understand that approved societies are required to give due consideration to whatever evidence of incapacity is submitted in support of a claim to benefit, and I am sending my right hon. Friend particulars of this case.