HC Deb 31 July 1941 vol 373 cc1536-7
58. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, while Miss Brownlow is on indefinite leave of absence at an inclusive salary of £ 500 a year, she is debarred from taking other employment except in institutions controlled by the Ministry of Health; and has he any suitable post to offer her?

Mr. E. Brown

The position is not as suggested by my hon. Friend in the first part of the Question. Miss Brownlow is free to obtain any other employment, subject to a corresponding adjustment of the amount which she is receiving from the Kent County Council. The matrons of institutions are not employed by me, but by the governing bodies of those institutions, but if any opportunity of assisting Miss Brownlow to secure suitable employment arises, I will gladly avail myself of it.

Sir W. Smithers

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that legal opinion has been taken and that Miss Brownlow has been advised that she cannot take other employment?

Mr. Brown

I cannot add anything to the straightforward answer that I have given.

59. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Health whether Miss Brownlow, lately matron at Farnborough Hospital, has now agreed to the publication of a letter he wrote to the council; and, if so, will he now give the terms of that letter?

Mr. Brown

The material parts of the letter are incorporated in one from the Kent County Council to Miss Brownlow, which has been published in the ''British journal of Nursing" for July, 1941, apparently at the instance of Miss Brownlow herself.

Sir W. Smithers

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Parliamentary Secretary promised that, if Miss Brownlow's permission could be secured, it would be published?

Mr. Brown

The doubt was whether she would wish it. As I have pointed out, the material parts of the letter are incorporated in one which has been published in this "Journal." If the hon. Gentleman wants the whole, I am quite willing to give it, but there are no material parts except those which have been published.

Sir W. Smithers

Would it not be better to publish it in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Mr. Brown

I am quite willing to do that.