§ 42. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the widespread dissatisfaction at present existing in the medical procession with regard to the failure to utilise to the fullest extent the services of the medical profession in the national effort, owing to lack of coordination and co-operation between the Emergency Medical Service, the medical services of the Armed Forces and the general body of civilian medical practitioners, he will consider the advisability of appointing a small non-medical committee to investigate the most effective organisation for utilising to the best advantage the medical services of the country?
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)My right hon. Friends the Service Ministers, the Secretary of State for Scotland, and I are not aware of any widespread dissatisfaction such as is referred to by the hon. Member, but we have recently had the advice of a Committee appointed to consider the steps necessary to secure a proper allocation of the available medical man-power between civilian and military services. The Committee consisted of Sir Arthur Robinson, as chairman, and three medical men with wide experience of the various branches of the profession, namely, Sir John Fraser, Sir Kaye le Fleming and Professor Picker. Their report is now receiving our active consideration.
§ Mr. ManderIf I bring evidence of dissatisfaction to the right hon. Gentleman's attention, will he give the suggestion further consideration?
§ Mr. MacDonaldI will certainly give consideration to any information that the hon. Member gives me, but as regards considering his suggestion, he will appreciate that we have adopted the suggestion already some time ago.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the right hon. Gentleman consult with the medical profession with a view to their relinquishing some of their trade-union etiquette and rights in order that their work should be better spread over the population?