§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the drug and medicine costs covering the insured population under the care of the Lancashire Insurance Committee have increased, and that the average cost per insured person has increased from 19.30d. in 1916 to 41.21d. in 1934; and what steps, if any, his Department is taking to stop this increase without at the same time depriving the insured population of necessities in this connection?
§ Sir K. WOODI am aware of the increase in the cost of drugs for insured persons, which has occurred in. Lancashire in common with other areas. As regards the second part of the question, action is taken under Article 42 of the Medical Benefit Consolidated Regulations, 1928, which provides machinery for dealing with cases where the cost is in 1235W excess of what is reasonably necessary the adequate treatment of the patients.