§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the appointment by the County Council of Ross-shire of a Medical Officer of Health for the county, with the exceptional stipulation that he should be allowed to carry on private practice; whether there were other experienced candidates for the post willing to accept it on condition that they should devote their entire time to its duties; and whether the Board of Supervision has sanctioned the appointment made by the County Council?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON,) ButeMy attention has been called by the hon. Member's question to the appointment by the County Council of Rossshire of a medical officer for the county without the usual stipulation that he shall not be allowed to carry on private practice. I understand that there were other candidates, but have no information as to the conditions on which they were prepared to accept office. The Board of Supervision have not sanctioned the appointment, as the Local Government Act does not make such sanction necessary. The Board, however, have intimated to the County Council that the appointment as made may in future endanger the claim of the County Council to share in the grant administered by the Secretary for Scotland, under the Local Taxation Act of last year, in aid of the salaries of medical officers for counties.
§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)I beg to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Dr. Bruce, the medical officer in question, has altogether given up general practice, and intends to confine himself to consulting practice?
§ MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONI believe that to be substantially the case.