§ Lord C. BERESFORDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what is the position of servants insured in England and working a portion of the year in England and a portion in Ireland; and how are they to secure medical benefits if they are taken ill in Ireland, where none exist?
§ Mr. MASTERMANWhile in Ireland an insured person is not entitled to medical benefit and is only required to pay contributions at the reduced Irish rate.
§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Lancashire Insurance Committee have declined to allow insured persons to 1847W make their own arrangements for obtaining medical attendance and treatment; whether he is aware that this has deprived many insured persons of the services of doctors who have treated them all their lives; and whether this has received the assent of the National Health Insurance Commissioners?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs I have previously stated, every insurance committee, in allowing or refusing to allow an insured person to make his own arrangements for treatment by a doctor who is not on the panel, must exercise its discretion in accordance with the Act and the Regulations, and I have no reason to suppose that the Lancashire Insurance Committee is not doing so.