§ 30. Mr. Messerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the demand that medical officers in the employ of public health authorities shall give up the full number of coupons for their protective clothing will mean that many surgeons will have very few coupons left for their own use; and whether he will reconsider this decision?
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Sir Andrew Duncan)I have received no evidence to show that the type of white (overalls now available at two or three 1036 coupons each, according to type, are unsuitable for use by doctors, and I do not consider that the purchase of them will place an undue strain on a doctor's ration of coupons.
§ Mr. MesserIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that a circular has gone out to local authorities on -this matter and that it shows that surgeons in operating theatres will come to an end of their coupons? Does he not know how important to a surgeon overalls are and what a large number are used.
§ Sir A. DuncanThey know the number of coupons available.
§ Sir Francis FremantleDoes my right hon. Friend recognise that the ordinary person does not require protective clothing, and that if the extra coupons are sufficient in this case, they are superfluous in the case of ordinary persons? Surely this is an example of extra requirements for public needs.