§ Mr. DUCKWORTHasked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that many ex-service pensioners suffering from chronic disabilities are now being referred to national health insurance for treatment, he will reconsider this decision and grant 1432W institutional treatment and allowances, in view of the hardships suffered by such pensioners?
§ Major TRYONIt is the duty of the proper medical officers of the Ministry for prescribe whatever form of treatment they may consider necessary, and in a case where no special treatment beyond attention from a general practitioner is required, the pensioner is advised to consult the practitioner whose services are available to him under the Health Insurance Acts. This is the long standing practice of the Ministry, and I should not be justified in requiring, as the hon. Member suggests, the provision of hospital treatment in all cases regardless of medical views as to whether such treatment is necessary or not.