§ Mr. JAMES PARKERasked whether a person who has undergone a course of study at the Botanic Medical College, Southport, and has obtained a diploma therefrom entitling him to practice the botanic system of medicine, would be considered a duly qualified medical practitioner under the provisions of the National Insurance Bill?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHSuch a person would not be a duly qualified medical practitioner unless he has passed the examination required by the Medical Acts and been registered under those Acts.
Mr. POINTERIs the hon. Gentleman aware, in connection with the Botanic Medical College at Southport, that the course of instruction there extends over five years, and that all the subjects which a doctor or medical man is supposed to be versed in are gone through; and in view of the strides that have been made in the departments of medical science is he prepared to reconsider his decision in view of the facts and circumstances?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHNo. I do not think that that would be recognised by the General Medical Council.
Mr. POINTERWhat I want to know is not whether it would be recognised by the General Medical Council, but whether, 193 for the purposes of this Bill, the Government could not make further inquiries to see whether, after all, those whom some people do believe to be and refer to as medical men should not be brought within the scope of the Bill?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI will convey that to my right hon. Friend.