HC Deb 19 February 1942 vol 377 c1881
17. Sir L. Lyle

asked the Minister of Health how many doctors have been released from the Services to continue civilian practice under the system described on 5th February?

Mr. Brown

I have not the complete figures for the whole time this system has been in operation, but during the last four months the Central Medical War Committee has recommended the release of 36 doctors from the Services to private practice. The release of all these doctors has not yet been actually effected, but in only four cases have the Service Departments found it impossible to release them.

Sir L. Lyle

Does this not show that a very unsatisfactory state of affairs has arisen, and would it not be much better if the Services called up doctors for a short period of training and then released them?

Mr. Brown

I am afraid that my hon. Friend's Supplementary Question oversimplifies this problem.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Is it not a fact that there are large numbers of very eminent alien doctors in this country who could be usefully employed?

Mr. Brown

If my hon. Friend will look at the answer I gave a week or two ago, he will see that they are being employed.