HC Deb 05 March 1941 vol 369 cc904-5
21. Sir Leonard Lyle

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the shortage of doctors in many rural districts, especially when these are overcrowded with evacuees of all sorts, and what steps are taken to ensure that the younger doctors are not called up before the real need begins for the use of their services by the Army?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)

My right hon. Friend is aware of the shortage of doctors in some rural areas and appreciates the difficulties. The measures which he is taking, in conjunction with the Service Ministers and the Secretary of State for Scotland, on the recommendation of Sir Arthur Robinson's Committee, are designed to reduce to a minimum the number of doctors to be called up from private practice. In selecting the individual doctors for commission the Central Medical War Committee and its local committees give full weight to the special needs of the reception areas.

Sir L. Lyle

Is the hon. Lady aware that there is a very grave danger for the civil population in what is taking place? Is she further aware that these doctors are available to be called up at any time, that they are fully trained, and that there is no danger in leaving them, from the Army point of view, since all they have to do is to be trained in the intricacies of red tape and how to fill in forms?

Miss Horsbrugh

If my hon. Friend will read the answer I have given, I think he will see that we are aware of the difficulties. The matter was discussed by the Committee and definite schemes are now being thought out to prevent what my hon. Friend does not wish to happen.

Sir L. Lyle

Is there any danger in leaving the matter a little longer, since there is a definite danger in taking these doctors? Can the hon. Lady use her influence with the War Office?

Miss Horsbrugh

I do not know about my influence with the War Office, but an agreement has been come to between the Ministry of Health and the War Office that these people are not to be called up, and a definite scheme is to be arranged to ration doctors both for the civilian population and the Army.

Sir Francis Fremantle

When will the priority committee, on which the whole thing depends, be announced and get to work?

Miss Horsbrugh

I cannot give the date without notice, but I assure my hon. Friend that the matter is being gone into now, and that doctors who might have been called up are remaining in their civilian practice.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Are the Ministry making full use of friendly alien doctors?