HC Deb 15 March 1938 vol 333 c197
23. Mr. Mathers

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is prepared to take to meet the position of panel patients in Livingston Station village, West Lothian, who are now compelled to travel several miles to have medical prescriptions made up, thus involving expense and delay?

Mr. Elliot

I am informed that the Westlothian Insurance Committee have recently decided that it is no longer necessary to require an insurance practitioner to dispense medicines for his insured patients in the Livingston Station area. As by statute it is open to any insured person affected by this decision to refer it for determination to the Department of Health for Scotland, the hon. Member will appreciate that it would not be proper for me to make any statement on the subject at present.

Mr. Mathers

May we take it that, finally, the right hon. Gentleman will be arbiter in this matter and that it is his wish that proper facilities should be provided?

Mr. Elliot

I have already said that I do not wish to make any statement on a subject on which I may become arbiter.