§ Mr. Whiteasked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of insured persons referred by approved societies to the regional medical officers for incapacity and consultative references during 1937, and the results of these submissions; also the total cost to approved societies of these submissions, including allowances for travelling expenses paid to refund members attending for examination?
§ Mr. ElliotThe number of incapacity and consultation references made by Approved Societies during 1937 to the Regional Medical Staff in England and Wales was 459,606. During the year 128,621 insured persons received "declaring off" certificates before the date fixed for examination, while 91,305 did not attend for examination. 237,828 insured persons were examined and, in the opinion of the examining officers, 175,212 were incapable of work and 62,616 were not incapable of work.
The total cost of these references was approximately £182,000, inclusive of payments for travelling expenses. Of this sum, about £32,500, being Is. 5d. per reference, was met from the allowance for the costs of administration by Approved Societies and the balance was met from the sums made available to me under Section 118 (2) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1936, for the administration of benefits.