28() 
MAJORITY REPORT. 
preceding valuation, i.e., at each valuation the surplus 
carried forward from the previous valuation (including the 
Contingencies Fund) with its interest earnings, would be 
exempted from the operation of the scheme. (para. 256.) 
(b) The proportion of the surplus specified above, which 
should be subject to pooling, should be one-half. (para. 257.) 
(¢) The fund constituted by the half surpluses in ques- 
tion should be distributed among the benefit funds of all 
Societies at a uniform rate per head of membership. (para. 
258). 
EXTENSIONS OF BENEFITS. 
(42) That the extensions of statutory benefits, to be made as 
and when funds are available to meet the cost, should be placed 
in the following order of priority :— 
(a) Bxtension of the scope of medical benefit. (paras. 
261-262.) 
(b) The provision of allowances in respect of dependants 
of insured persons in receipt of sickness or disablement 
benefit. (paras. 314-326, 343.) 
(¢) Improved provision at the time of pregnancy and 
childbirth for insured women and the wives of insured men. 
(para. 343.) 
(d) The provision of dental treatment as a normal benefit 
(para. 361.) 
(48) That the extensiow of the scope of medical benefit should 
take the form of the provision of 
(a) expert medical advice and treatment for persons who 
can travel to meet the specialist ; 
(b) expert advice for persons who are unable to travel: 
(¢c) laboratory services; 
but that in-patient treatment in hospitals, major operations in 
the home, maternity services and dental services should not be 
included at present. (paras. 263-268.) 
(44) That the extended service should be provided not by 
way of development of the out-patient work of the hospitals, 
but through an independent scheme organised, under the general 
direction of the Ministry, throughout the whole country by the 
Insurance Committees or their successors, as an integral part of 
medical benefit. (para. 277.) 
(45) That in the scheme provision should be made for the 
closest co-operation between the general practitioners and the 
specialists, particularly for the exchange of information as to 
cases and for the giving of definite guidance to the general 
practitioner as to both diagnosis and treatment. (para. 277.)