§ 42. Dr. Howittasked the Minister of Health what progress he has so far made in his discussions with the medical profession on the proposals for a National Health Service.
§ Mr. WillinkAs the answer is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ Preliminary discussions took place before the issue of the White Paper, on a non-committal and confidential basis. Since the White Paper, I have received and answered a number of questions of detail from the profession's representatives, the answers to which have been published. I had hoped to begin more definite discussions with the profession after the Representative Meeting of the 1889 British Medical Association, which was intended to be held this July, but, for reasons not due in any way to the profession, this meeting has been postponed for a time, and I appreciate that these discussions must be deferred.
§ Meanwhile, I have studied with interest the draft statement of policy recently issued by the Council of the British Medical Association, and there are many detailed points in it on which I should welcome some elucidation. In particular, for instance, I should be glad to have further explanation of the Council's views upon the proposed administrative and consultative machinery, both central and local. I am, therefore, inviting the Council to send representatives to discuss these and other points with me and my officers, in order that the ground may be cleared for the general discussions which will be opened when the Representative Meeting has been held.