§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health whether he will state his attitude towards the request he has recently received from approved societies covering miners asking for assistance to admit of the payment of additional benefits in the form of dental and optical treatment?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThose of the societies referred to by the hon. Member which were found on the last valuation to have a disposable surplus are in a position to provide additional benefits for their members out of that surplus in accordance with a scheme under Section 75 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, but I have no power to authorise the provision of additional benefits by a society which had no disposable surplus on the last valuation.