§ Major HILLSasked the Minister of Pensions how many men, between 1st January and 30th June 1926, have been recommended by the doctors of his Ministry for medical treatment under a private practitioner; and whether any, after a report by the private medical practitioner, giving the treatment necessary, have been sent for further examination and refused such treatment?
§ Major TRYONI am afraid that these figures are not available. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that all insured persons are entitled to general
2830W
Year. Geographical Distribution. Government Securities. Muncipalities and Public Boards. Railways. Industrial, Commercial etc. Undertakings. Total. Thous. £s. Thous. £s. Thous. £s. Thous. £s. Thous. £s. 1921 British Empire 73,421 5,323 528 11,559 90,831 Foreign Countries 5,905 — 983 18,003 24,891 1922 British Empire 58,395 7,427 805 8,890 75 517 Foreign Countries 14,254 7,088 14,532 23,809 59,683 1923 British Empire 62,086 5,416 3,024 17,051 87,577 Foreign Countries 26,937 — 5,903 15,699 48,599 1924 British Empire 50,908 6,284 619 15,691 73,502 Foreign Countries 40,620 2,412 3,284 14,405 60,721 1925 British Empire 29,505 2,022 1,681 24,196 57,404 Foreign Countries 975 1,350 4,189 23,880 30 394 1926 Jan. British Empire Figures not published. 32,787 to June. Foreign Countries Figures not published. 30,426 The figures are based on the prices of issue. practitioner treatment, and no record is kept of the cases in which a man is advised by a medical officer of the Ministry to consult his own doctor for a condition which falls within the scope of general practitioner treatment and does not call for a special course of treatment such as is contemplated by the Royal Warrant. I may add that the medical officers of my Department are always prepared to consider further, in the light of any report or opinion submitted by the man's own doctor, the question of the provision by the Ministry of a course of treatment in any particular case.