MAJORITY REPORT. 
1 
x 
of the evidence submitted to us was, on the one hand, concerned 
with the conditions under which the existing medical benefit could 
be extended or supplemented by other benefits of a medical 
nature and, on the other hand, with the possibility of over- 
coming the lack of co-ordination with which at present the 
medical services of the country are frequently reproached. The 
development of maternity benefit from a mere cash palyment 
into an adequate provision of skilled supervision and treatment 
of mother and child during the period centred on the confine- 
ment was urged by numerous witnesses, including several 
representative bodies devoted specially to the interests of 
working women. Much emphasis was also laid on the desirability 
of developing, as far as practicable, the possibilities which the 
scheme offers for the prevention of illness and the improvement 
of the general standard of health. 
THE INEQUALITIES OF BENEFIT. 
96. We also received much evidence in criticism of the in- 
equalities of benefit which result from the variations between 
the valuation surpluses of Approved Yocieties and of the con- 
fusion alleged to be consequent on the comparative freedom which 
Societies enjoy in selecting and, indeed, in defining the content 
of additional benefits other than an increase in the rates of the 
cash benefits. The opinion was freely expressed by certain 
witnesses that the present arrangements did not result in the 
fullest advantages being secured to the general body of insured 
workers in return for the expenditure incurred, and that in a 
National Scheme supported by uniform contributions compul- 
sorily levied, these wide inequalities of benefit were a serious 
blemish. Other witnesses, on the other hand, contended 
vigorously for the maintenance of the present system. In the 
view of these witnesses the enforcement of a uniform rate of 
contribution in the case of all insured persons, whatever the 
differences in their economic conditions or the variations in the 
risks to which they are subject, occupationally or for other reasons, 
cannot otherwise be justified. Some of those who advanced 
this claim relied on pledges given when the Bill of 1911 was 
before Parliament, to the effect that, to meet this difficulty, 
insured persons should be free to choose their own Societies and 
the Societies should have full control of their own surpluses. In 
this particular sphere, indeed, it became evident that we had 
to recognise the existence of opposed and apparently irreconcilable 
opinions held in each case by schools of thought whose views 
were entitled to respect and consideration. 
Tar ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES. 
97. Another matter to which much of the evidence was 
directed was that of the suitability of the Insurance Committees