Mr. ROSTRON DUCKWORTHasked the Minister of Health whether he can state the additional cost of medical benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts if these benefits were extended to include pathological diagnosis, operations, and electrical, ophthalmic, hydropathic, radiant heat, massage, and convalescent hospital treatment; and whether he will take steps for this cost to be defrayed by any of the approved societies?
§ Sir K. WOODThe cost of providing all insured persons with the services detailed by my hon. Friend as part of medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts would depend on the scope and conditions of the services, and I regret that I am unable to give any estimate. I would add that some of these services are already included within the scope of the additional benefits which approved societies having a disposable surplus may provide for their members, and that societies are in fact devoting large sums annually towards the cost of such services.