§ Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the panel of doctors at Wisbech has been closed since 10th January and that several doctors who are prepared now to join the panel have been refused admission by the local insurance committee, that the choice of doctors is thus materially narrowed to insured persons in that district; and whether, in order to restore such choice, he can give an undertaking that the present arbitrary restriction on the panel will be brought to an end?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNAs I have previously stated, owing to the fact that the local doctors declined to serve under the Act, the insurance committee were unable to secure an adequate medical service for the district under the normal panel arrangements. At the request of the insurance committee, therefore, and in order that they might discharge their obligation to provide medical benefit, the normal panel system was suspended under the proviso to Section 15 (2) of the Act, and alternative arrangements suggested by the insurance committee were authorised whereby the committee appointed certain doctors to undertake the entire responsibility for the treatment of all insured per sons in the district. I cannot alter the terms upon which these doctors have been appointed.