§ Mr. MUGGERIDGEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Prudential Approved Societies are refusing massage treatment for insured patients whose panel doctors recommend it as the only possible cure in certain cases; and if he will use his powers to see that these societies carry out their statutory duties to provide adequate treatment to their members?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have not received any representations on the matter referred to by my hon. Friend. An approved society which has a disposable surplus on Valuation may adopt one or more additional benefits, such as treatment in hospitals or convalescent homes or nursing, within the scope of which massage, in suitable cases, might he comprised, but no society is under any statutory obligation to provide treatment of this kind for its members.