§ 11. Lieut.-Colonel Thornton-Kemsleyasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the fact that nurses are given coupon concessions for the purchase of stockings, he will give similar concessions to physiotherapists who are required to wear stockings by the rules of the hospitals in which they work.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. I regret that, in view of the shortage of supplies, I cannot see my way to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Thornton-KemsleyWill my right hon. Friend remember that on 27th June, in reply to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett), he said that the ground for giving extra coupon concessions to nurses in hospitals was that it was important, on hygienic grounds, that they should have a good supply of stockings? Does not the same ground exist in the case of physiotherapists working in the same hospitals?
§ Mr. DaltonI understand that a physiotherapist is what used to be called in the old days a masseur, and I am advised by the Ministry of Health, who are great experts on these matters, and by the Department of Health for Scotland that the case for masseurs having an additional issue, is less strong than it is for other nurses, but I would be glad to look into it again. This is, admittedly, a borderline case. We have to draw the line for the concession somewhere, but I shall be happy to go into it again.
§ Mr. MesserIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that masseurs do not wear stockings, but that masseuses do? Would it not be better if these reactionary hospitals altered their rules as many hospitals have done to allow their staffs not to wear stockings?
§ Mr. DaltonI will consult the Ministry of Health on what the next step should be.
§ Mr. J. J. LawsonWhether my right. hon. Friend uses the old word or the new word, cannot he get a plain English word for these nurses?
§ Mr. DaltonPerhaps my hon. Friend would suggest a name, a short and simple English name, and I shall be glad to adopt it.