EARL of KERRYasked how many county committees appointed under the National Insurance Act have submitted schemes for dealing with sanatorium benefit; and in how many cases such schemes have been approved or rejected by the Insurance Commissioners?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAll the county insurance committees in England have submitted to the Commissioners arrangements for the provision of sanatorium benefit. In all but one of these the arrangements for the treatment of persons recommended for the benefit have been approved by the Commissioners. In Scotland twenty-five county insurance committees have submitted schemes, of which twenty-two have received full and one partial approval, while the remaining two are now under examination. In Ireland twenty-eight county committees have submitted schemes, of which all have received approval as far as they relate to treatment in sanatoria. In Wales all the county committees have submitted schemes and obtained approval for them.
2098WIn the few cases in which no schemes have yet been submitted the Insurance Commissioners are in communication with the insurance committees on the subject.
§ Mr. TOUCHEasked the President of the Local Government Board if he can say whether any, and, if so, what, arrangement has been made for utilising the institutions under the control of the Metropolitan Asylums Board for treatment of persons suffering from tuberculosis who are entitled to sanatorium benefit; and if it is proposed to introduce an amending Bill to enable the London Insurance Committee to enter into the necessary arrangements?
§ Mr. BURNSI have nothing at present to add to the answer which I gave en Tuesday to the hon. Member for Plymouth.