35. Dr. VERNON DAVIESasked the Minister of Health why no medical Member of this House has been asked to serve on the Committee appointed to inquire into the registration of opticians, bearing in mind the fact that the subject is of great importance to the health of the people of this country, and that such a Member could approach the question from a more detached standpoint than that of medical men actually in the practice of their profession?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI followed the usual practice in consulting the medical organisations specially concerned, and the three medical members were appointed on the nomination of the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal Society of Medicine and the British Medical Association.
Dr. DAVIESIs my right hon. Friend aware that these gentlemen are probably 2256 representative of those who are in actual practice at the present time, and is there any objection to having men on the Committee who have some knowledge of the subject, but who are not in actual practice, and may, therefore, be more or less unbiased?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think it is very desirable that there should be representatives of those who have experience of actual practice, because I think the opposition to the Bill comes very largely from that quarter.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWould it not be a compliment to the House if an actual Member of the House were appointed?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat, of course, is a matter of opinion, but, obviously, Members of the House will have their opportunity of discussing the Bill when it comes before the House.