§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the additional Grant which it is proposed to make in respect of medical benefit under the National Insurance Act in Great Britain, he will consider the question of devoting a sum of money towards making good the cost of certificates for sickness and invalidity benefits in Ireland; whether he is still of the view that the extension of medical benefits to Ireland is a matter to be decided by the wishes of the Irish people themselves; and whether he has considered the suggestion of the appointment of a representative Committee to consider this latter question?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe Government are certainly still of opinion that the question of extending medical benefit to 1389W Ireland is one to be decided according to the wishes of the Irish people; and I propose at an early date to appoint a representative Committee to consider the matter. Meantime, the Government will submit proposals for the Grant of a sum of £50,000 towards expenses incurred in Ireland in connection with the National Insurance Act in consequence of the absence of medical benefit in that country, such sum to be expended in accordance with a scheme to be submitted to the Treasury by the Irish Insurance Commissioners.
§ Mr. GLYN-JONESasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that insured persons may desire in an emergency to obtain at night-time the services of a medical practitioner on the panels under the National Insurance Act, he will make arrangements whereby such lists of doctors, if supplied by the insurance committees, may be inspected at police stations within the Metropolitan area?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am glad to inform my hon. Friend that the Commissioner of Police is able to make tentative arrangements to carry out this suggestion.