§ MR. BRODIE (Surrey, Reigate)To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will state how many 925 whole-time medical officers of health there are in England and Wales, exclusive of London, and how many of this number come up for periodical re-appointment; and whether the Board is prepared to recommend the electing authorities of those who are re-elected periodically to appoint them without reference to time
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I can only give the information desired as regards cases in which the appointment is sanctioned by the Local Government Board, and thus it does not extend to medical officers of health appointed for counties or for the majority of county boroughs. There are 104 medical officers of health for districts outside London who give their whole time to the duties of that office either by itself or in conjunction with some other appointment of a public character. Of this number seventy-five are subject to periodic reappointment. The officers referred to include those who act for more than one district. The total number of districts for which they act is 345. The question of the tenure of office of these officers is receiving my attention, but I may state that in suitable cases it is already the practice of the Local Government Board to recommend local authorities to appoint their medical officer of health permanently or for a lengthened period.