§ Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the prac- 401W tice of panel doctors to Charge for a medical certificate for a patient's private employer, such certificate being additional to that required by the patient's approved society; whether any provision is made under the Health Insurance Act for providing such additional certificate free of charge; and, if not, whether he will take steps to secure that some such provision is made?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend is aware that such a charge is sometimes made, though he has no information as to the extent to which the practice prevails. There is no statutory provision for the issue of certificates other than those required for National Health Insurance purposes, and the hon. Member's proposal would require legislation.