HC Deb 27 April 1948 vol 450 cc38-9W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Health what will be the position as regards penalties by fine or otherwise of insurable persons who decline to register under the new Act, and prefer to continue to receive medical attention from independent doctors; what will be the position of persons who; having registered, find that health services specified under the Act are not provided in the area in which they live; and whether such persons will be called upon to pay for services which they cannot, in fact, enjoy.

Mr. Bevan

The new health service is not based on insurability, and anyone can use it or not, as they wish, at any time. What is available in each area at any time will depend on resources, but—as the great part of the cost of the service is from taxes and rates—people cannot be paying for something that is not available.