§ Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that inquiries are made to Members of Parliament about the promise given that disablement benefits under the National Health Insurance Scheme would be considered by him; and can he say when he will be able to make a statement upon this?
Mr. M. MacDonaldAs I explained in the reply which I gave on the 23rd January, to the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith), my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have this question under urgent and sympathetic consideration.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether he will now arrange that any panel patient whose chosen practitioner has joined the forces may forthwith transfer to the list of any remaining practitioner willing to accept him, without regard to any unofficial scheme for the protection of practices which may be operating in the district?
Mr. MacDonaldIn view of the very general participation of insurance practitioners in the schemes to which the hon. Member refers and the importance of safeguarding the interests of practitioners who have undertaken war service, I see no sufficient reason for action on the lines indicated by the hon. Member.