HC Deb 01 July 1948 vol 452 cc2352-3
27 and 28. Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth

asked the Minister of Health (1) when he expects to receive the report of the Committee which was set up by him to advise him on the disputed effect of the National Health Service Act, 1946;

(2) when he intends to introduce legislation to give effect to his undertaking to amend the National Health Service Act, 1946, so as to make it impossible to institute a full time salaried medical service by regulation alone.

Mr. Bevan

I hope to receive this report by the end of September, and amending legislation to cover anything necessary in the light of the report, together with the point mentioned in Question No. 28 will be introduced as soon as possible thereafter.

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

Does not the Minister agree that the fact that the doctors are entering the Service before the settlement of the vexed question involved is an indication of their strong desire to give the Service a good start? Will the right Gentleman give a definite undertaking, first of all, that he will implement the recommendations of the Committee when in due course they become known, and in the second place that he will not increase the salary element before legislation is introduced?

Mr. Bevan

I am very glad to be able to say that despite the prophecies of certain pessimists the doctors are entering the Service in very large numbers, which is an indication of their confidence in the word of the Minister of Health.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

Surely, the Minister realises that the reason why the doctors are entering the scheme is because the right hon. Gentleman has accepted the advice given to him from this side of the House, and that if he would accept more of the advice from this side of the House he would be able to get through these difficulties more quickly?

Mr. Bevan

Before many years are over, or it may be months, hon. Members opposite will even be claiming credit for the Health Act itself, although they voted against both the Second and the Third Readings.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

Is not the Minister's recollection leading him astray? The Health Service is due to the proposals of the Coalition Government. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the votes on this side were directed against eliminating certain features, and we hope that their elimination will now make a success of the scheme?

Mr. Bevan

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman can derive what satisfaction he wishes from the situation, but the fact is that hon. Members opposite were unable to secure the co-operation of the medical profession in any proposals.