§ 100. Mr. Houseasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he has considered the case, particulars of which have been sent to him, of a panel doctor at Birmingham influencing the non-payment of benefit to Mr. Buckingham, 12, The Coppice, Dene Wood Avenue, Birmingham, and removing Mr. Buckingham's name from the list of his panel patients because the latter, immediately following an accident, attended Mr. Oldham, a qualified naturopath, and refused to follow the treatment the panel doctor subsequently prescribed; and if he will alter his regulations to enable naturopaths to certify for National Insurance sickness benefit.
§ Mr. SteeleI understand that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health has already communicated with my hon. Friend about this matter insofar as it falls within the province of his Department. Sickness benefit is only payable on proof of incapacity for work. In considering whether this condition is satisfied in a particular case approved societies are not tied to the form of evidence they may accept and my hon. Friend has been advised as to the steps Mr. Buckingham should take if he wishes to pursue his claim for sickness benefit