HC Deb 11 February 1943 vol 386 c1427
23. Mr. Vernon Bartlett

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to improve the nation's health by the prevention rather than the cure of disease, he will consider the introduction of an order making it compulsory for every individual to undergo a medical examination twice a year?

Mr. E. Brown

I sympathise with the object which my hon. Friend has in view but, apart from all other considerations, including the addition to the already very heavy burden on the medical profession, I should certainly not be prepared to take the action suggested except with the express approval of Parliament.

Sir Frank Sanderson

Is the Minister aware that it would take no fewer than 8,500 doctors working eight hours a day, six days a week, assuming that only one-half of the population were medically examined, to carry out this suggestion?