§ 17. Mr. Benn Levyasked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make regarding all those people who have administered the various past health services up to 5th July, and who have now handed over to the National Health Service.
§ 13. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Health if he intends to supplement the official circular dismissing the members of hospital committees with a personal letter expressing the thanks of the community for the devoted service they have rendered.
§ Mr. BevanIt would, unfortunately, not be practicable for me to send out personal letters to all those associated with the health services taken over on 5th July. But I should like to take this opportunity of expressing—I hope on behalf of the House, as well as myself—my keen appreciation of all that has been done in the hospitals, local authorities, insurance committees and elsewhere, by men and women who have had the public interest unselfishly at heart. Without their pioneer work, our new adventure would have been impossible. I am only too glad that many of them are going to join us in it still.
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesCould not the right hon. Gentleman have been more comprehensive in his statement—which is a very important statement—and included organisations such as the District Nursing Association?
§ Mr. BevanIt is, unfortunately, the fact that in answers of this sort it is assumed that what is not put in has been deliberately left out. Therefore, it would, I think, be improper to put them all in.