THE SOCIAL SECURITY PAMPHLET

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22521, 1 October 1938, Page 22

THE SOCIAL SECURITY PAMPHLET

TO THE EDITOR 07 THE PRESS, .. I wish to draw your attention to the pamphlet on the Social Security Act recently issued by the Government to householders. Ido not object to the distribution of reasonably worded pamphlets drawing attention to legislauon which has come into operation. But I most strongly protest against the printing by the Government Printer, at rhe cost of the public, of party propa..As it stands, the printing and distribution of this pamphlet at the public expense is a gross abuse of the privileged position which the Government holds.

The pamphlet is published now, more than six months before the act is to come into operation, in the middle of an election where it is one of the vital issues. It is not even a fair summary of the provisions of the act. It sets out at great length the various benefits, actual or possible, but mentions nothing of the other side of the act, of the loss of independence the health scheme enP r °' f the wide Powers given to the Minister for Health. For example there is no reference to the tax on companies, or to how the State’s share of the cost is to be obtained. It does not tell you that the act repeals the Employment Promotion Act but makes no provision for any of the payments, except sustenance, which are now made out of the Employment Fund. It says that the patient has free choice of doctor, but omits to mention that if the doctor selected does not accept, another doctor may be selected for the patient by a committee appointed by* the Minister.

The pamphlet does not mention the complete control given to the Minister over doctors and nurses’ contracts of employment, the scale of fees to be paid to hospitals. It says that questions affecting the medical profession will be dealt with by a committee, but it does not say that the committee is appointed by the Minister alone. Neither does it mention the fact that there is no appeal from the Minister’s decisions,,nor that doctors and nurses who are not prepared to. accept the terms laid down by the Minister have no rights under the act.

These few examples of omissions from the pamphlet are sufficient to show that the pamphlet is nothing more nor less than electioneering propaganda, and not a fair and unbiased statement of the true provisions of the act.—Yours, etc,, SPECTATOR. September 30, 1938.