HC Deb 07 August 1912 vol 41 cc3179-80W
Mr. LUNDON

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if it is compulsory on county health committees to form sub-committees for the purpose of the Act as far as sanatorium benefits are concerned?

Mr. MASTERMAN

The answer is in the negative.

Mr. LUNDON

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how long the county health committees as they are at present constituted last; when will the various approved societies get the power of nominating their real representatives; and if honorary members of an approved society can act on such committees if duly selected by the insured members of the society to which they belong?

Mr. MASTERMAN

The persons who are made members of Insurance Committees by the various Orders setting up the Committees will hold office until the date on which it is declared by the Insurance Commissioners that an Insurance Committee has been duly constituted for the county or county borough, or until the 15th July, 1913, whichever date is the earlier. The Orders, however, in each case reserve power to replace the persons who are now representing insured persons on the Committees by persons duly appointed under paragraph (a) of Subsection (1) of Section 59 of the Act, as soon as an appointment can be properly made under that provision. The reply to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Mr. LUNDON

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether county insurance committees have anything whatever to say in the erection of sanatoria or dispensaries; will such questions lie in the hands of the various county councils; and, if so, what procedure will be adopted in places and districts where the latter will not take up the work?

Mr. MASTERMAN

Sanatoria and dispensaries may be provided by county councils and other local authorities, or by voluntary agencies. It is no part of the duty of the insurance committees to provide such institutions. In the event of there being no sanatoria or no dispensaries in the committee's own district, the committee could make arrangements with local authorities or persons managing such institutions elsewhere.