HC Deb 12 February 1913 vol 48 cc961-2W
Major ARCHER-SHEE

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a man named Francis A. Thatcher, an insured person, living at Peabody Buildings, Southwark, who has been receiving treatment for consumption and on whose behalf an application was made for sanatorium treatment by the doctor to the Insurance Commissioners on 15th January, has received no reply; whether he is further aware that this man, who belongs to the Ancient Order of Druids, has received only one week's sick pay, as the society are afraid that they will not be reimbursed for the amount they expend; and whether he can call the attention of the Commissioners to this case?

Mr. MASTERMAN

In a letter dated the 19th January a medical practitioner informed the London Insurance Committee that this patient was in need of institutional treatment. The committee requested the medical officer of health for Southwark to report on the case, and on the 28th January informed the secretary of the lodge to which the man belongs that this was being done. The medical officer advised that the case was one for institutional treatment, and the committee have already taken steps to carry this into effect. The question of the payment of sickness benefit is one between the insured person and his society, subject to appeal to the Commissioners.

Mr. WHELER

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Mr. A. E. Palmer, of 16, Brookdale Road, Walthamstow, was certified during December, 1912, to be suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis; that his name was sent in with the necessary certificate on the 3rd January, 1913, to the clerk of the local insurance committee; will he explain why no answer has been sent for over four weeks to this communication; and why Palmer has not yet been sent to a sanatorium?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I am informed by the Essex Insurance Committee that the applicant has been examined by the tuberculosis officer, and that the sanatorium benefit sub-committee has recommended the case for hospital treatment. The applicant has been informed of this. The case is a difficult one, and not suitable for treatment in an ordinary sanatorium, and the committee arc endeavouring to secure his removal to a hospital.