37. Mr. COWANasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Scottish Board of Health has issued a circular to insurance committees in Scotland intimating that after 31st December it will be necessary to dispense with the services of their medical advisers, as after that date the work in connection with sanatorium benefit will be performed by the 1899 tuberculosis officers of local health authorities, and suggesting that the committees should give formal notice to their medical advisers of the termination of their engagements; is there any precedent for the summary dismissal of public officers on grounds of public policy without any provision for compensation; and will he take steps to secure that with the transference of the work to the local authorities the liability for payment also will be transferred?
§ Mr. MUNROThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the remainder of the question, the administrative changes arising out of the cessation of sanatorium benefit will result in the transfer of the supervision of certain duties from insurance committees to local authorities. As the officials of the latter authorities have been acting as medical advisers to insurance committees, there will not be, in substance, any loss of office. I see no reason to doubt that local authorities will give fair consideration to the interests of these officials on the readjustment of their duties.