§ MR. HARMSWORTH (Caithness shire)To ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that on 8th March last the County Council of Caithness appointed a duly qualified medical practitioner to be medical officer of health for the county, and that this practitioner has not yet entered upon his duties consequent on 1070 delay on the part of the Local Government Board in intimating whether he will be allowed to have consulting practice; and whether he can state when the decision of the Department will be communicated to the authorities in Caithness.
(Answer.) On the 12th March the Local Government Board were informed that the County Council of Caithness had appointed a county medical officer, with permission to engage in consulting practice. The Local Government Board did not interfere with the appointment nor hinder the new officer entering on his duties. It was necessary, however, to consider whether the grant in aid of the cost of medical officers should be payable to the County Council in respect of this appointment. The rule is that where the medical officer engages in consulting practice the grant is not given unless the Secretary for Scotland is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances justifying this arrangement. The necessity of considering these circumstances in this case caused some delay, but the County Council have now been informed that the grant will not be given.—(Scottish Office.)