§ 22. Mr. J. P. MORRISasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a copy of a book, entitled The Nomenclature of Diseases, has been sent gratis to every qualified medical man; that the price of the book is marked 5s. net and the postage cost 6d.; that the only use of the book is that of a reference book in a library; and will he, in the interests of national economy, stop this practice of sending unwanted books and publications gratis to people at the public cost?
Sir H. YOUNGThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is 1997 in the affirmative. The cost of postage is 5d., not 6d. As regards the third part, the book is of regular and practical use to the medical profession. Successive editions have been recognised since 1869 as indispensable to accurate certification of sickness and of the causes of death. It was for this reason that steps were taken to secure that the latest edition (which supersedes an edition published in 1917) should reach the hands of every registered medical practitioner. My hon. Friend will perhaps accept my assurance that no such practice as is described in the last part of the question exists.
§ Mr. MORRISIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost of sending these books and publications amounted to over £9,500, and that such action is against the considered policy of His Majesty's Government of reducing unproductive expenditure?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Edward Williams.