MR. LLOYD GEORGE IN ABERDEEN.
[To TER EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—You may have observed that the Chancellor of the Exchequer made a speech last night in Aberdeen. He told a sympathetic audience that the Tories wished to get the General Election over before their falsehoods about the Insurance Act were discovered by the electors on January 15th, when the benefits under the Act became operative. He described in sentimental terms the enormous benefits that had already accrued in respect to sanatoria, and instanced two cases sent for sanatorium treatment. In one case the man had paid 4s. 8d. contribution and would receive treat- ment costing £200. In another the patient had paid 2s. 8d. and would receive back in treatment £21. He claimed these cases as characteristic examples of the benefits of the Act. The same day as this speech was delivered there met in Glasgow the representatives of the Insurance Committees of Scotland. At that meeting it was clearly shown that the cost of institutional treatment would be borne for the greater part, not by the contributions of insured persons, but by the local authorities. It was estimated that insti- tutional treatment of tuberculosis would cost 3s. 6d. per insured person, and the responsibility for this expenditure 2s on the local authorities. They are to be refunded la. 3d. by the Insurance Commissioners, of which 6d. goes to the lectors for domiciliary treatment. There is, therefore, a deficit of 2s. 3d. per insured person, and this deficit will fall upon the payers of local rates. The ex-Provost of Hamilton 'estimated that in his district the addition of 4d. per 21 to he rates would be required to cover the deficit. In view of such a report from those carrying out the provisions of the Act, the statements of the Chancellor appear to have erred on the side of reticence. I trust they will be dealt with by abler hands than mine.—I am, Sir, &c., CHAS. A. MACKINLEY.
Thornclife, Dowanhill Gardens, Glasgow, Nov. 30th. P.S.—A full report of the proceedings of the Insurance representatives is contained in Glasgow Herald of this date.
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