§ Mr. THURTLEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, when persons insured under the National Health Insurance Acts are admitted to Poor Law hospitals for treatment, the boards of guardians concerned are precluded from receiving any benefits under these Acts in respect of the treatment so afforded: and whether he will take steps to have this restriction removed?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYBoards of guardians have the ordinary powers of recovery of expenses incurred in providing treatment in a Poor Law hospital to a person insured under the National Health Insurance Acts, as in the case of all other persons for whom such treatment. is pro- vided. I do not think it either necessary or desirable that they should have any additional powers of recovery in the case of insured persons. and I would remind the hon. Member that any benefits to which such persons may be entitled under the National Health Insurance Acts are given in return for contributions con pulsorily payable by themselves and their employers.