MAJORITY REPORT.

281

(46) That any practitioner possessing the requisite qualifications
 should be entitled to take part in the work, and that the
decision as to whether particular practitioners possess these
qualifications should lie in the hands of a mixed lay and medical
committee for each area. (para. 283.)
(47) That in the initial stages of the scheme arrangements
might be made for patients who are able to travel to attend
either at the specialist's consulting rooms or at the out-patient
departments of hospitals, or at clinics established by the local
administrative authority, as may be found most convenient in
various areas. (para. 284.)
(48) That the scheme of extended medical benefit could be
financed through the funds made available under the scheme of
pooling of surpluses referred to in recommendations (40) and
(41). (para. 259.)
(49) That ophthalmic benefit should be recognised as part of
the expert out-patient service under the scheme, and should not be
available except on the recommendation of a medical practitioner.
(paras. 88 and 90.)
(50) That an increase in some form of the normal cash benefit
payable during incapacity for work is very desirable. (para. 308.)
(51) That for financial reasons this increase must at present
be limited to an allowance in respect of dependants, where
Sohne or disablement benefit is payable, on the following
ines :—

(a) An addition to the sickness benefit of 2s. a week in
respect of each dependant.
(b) An addition to the disablement benefit of 1s. a week in
respect of each dependant.
(c) The dependants’ allowance should be paid in all cases
of incapacity of an insured married man even where the wife
is herself a wage earner.
(d) The dependants’ allowance in respect of dependent
children should only be paid from the husband’s insurance,
not from the wife's.
(e) The dependants for the purposes of the scheme should
normally be the wife and the children up to 14 years of age,
but in order to meet the case of the widower with dependent
children, an additional 2s. in the case of sickness benefit
and 1s. in the case of disablement benefit should be paid in
such case.
(f) In the case of the insured widow with dependent
children, the allowance should be paid only in respect of
the children and no additions similar to those in (e) should
be made thereto.
(g) In the case of the insured woman whose husband is
uninsured, no allowances in respect of dependent children
should be paid from the woman’s insurance.

54.709

KK. 3