HC Deb 08 February 1940 vol 357 c412W
62. Mr. E. J. Williams

asked the Minister of Health whether he will accept, and implement at the earliest opportunity, the suggestion of the insurance committee for the county of Glamorgan that provision of medical benefit should be made on anon-contributory basis for the dependants of insured men called up for active service with His Majesty's Forces?

Mr. Gallacher

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, as in the last war, dependants of men serving in the armed Forces are, in the majority of cases, compelled to seek medical attention through public assistance channels, their allowances being insufficient to enable them to employ private doctors; and whether he will take steps whereby medical attention may be provided for these people by means of a Government contribution?

Mr. Elliot

I regret that I am not yet in a position to announce a decision on this matter, which is, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War said in his reply to the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 30th January, under discussion between us and the Secretary of State for Scotland.