§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will investigate the effects upon low-paid workers within the National Health Service of the development of private medical care for a minority of staff who draw fees from private practice.
§ Sir K. JosephNo.
§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will commission a special study on the pres- 259W sures on doctors to hospitalise patients unnecessarily resulting from insurance schemes which pay benefits only when patients are in hospital;
(2) if he will seek to discuss with representatives of all the medical organisations the pressures on accommodation and facilities arising from cash-while-in-hospital insurance.
§ Sir K. JosephNo. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 17th November 1972 to the hon. Member for
AMOUNTS OF SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT PAID TO CLAIMANTS INVOLVED IN TRADE DISPUTES, 1967–72 During Disputes Post-Strike Payments* Strikers and dependants Strikers Strikers dependants Total £ £ £ £ 1967 … … … … 1,774 375,328 113,830 490,932 1968 … … … … 749 333,722 80,803 415,274 1969 … … … … 1,401 747,141 668,497 1,417,039 1970 … … … … 2,191 1,445,912 888 802 2,336,905 1971 … … … … 5,434 4,309,149 524,763 4,839,346 1972 … … … … 181,477 8,380,124 904,093 9,465,694 *Since 3rd April 1972, these payments have been recoverable in accordance with Section 2 of the Social Security Act 1971.