§ 8. Mr. Butcherasked the Minister of Food why he has refused to grant additional rations to a boy resident in Spalding, whose own medical adviser has given a certificate that the boy has been intermittently suffering from asthma for seven years; has been in and out of hospital several times; has stated that he would benefit from extra rations as he is under weight; and whether, before refusing such rations, he arranged to have the boy medically examined by the Ministry's medical advisers.
§ Dr. SummerskillI assume the hon. Member has in mind the case about which I last wrote to him on 19th February. The hon. Member will know that our medical advisers never undertake to examine applicants for special rations, but always accept the diagnosis of the patient's own medical adviser. Their unwelcome task is to advise on the relative needs of different groups of invalids bearing in mind the limited amounts of rationed food available. The need of uncomplicated cases of asthma for extra rations is not such as to justify a claim on this limited supply. If the case which the hon. Member has in mind is in some way complicated, I will gladly ask our medical advisers to consider any fresh information which he can send me.
§ Mr. ButcherIs the hon. Lady aware that in the doctor's certificate dated 9th November last the local doctor categorically stated that the lad would benefit from extra rations? Is it the practice of her Department to disregard the advice of the local medical practitioner who has 5 seen the patient in favour of the advice of people in London who, however distinguished, have not even been near the boy?
§ Dr. SummerskillI must remind the hon. Member that asthma is a fairly common complaint and that if we gave extra rations in this case we would open the door to a large number of people who would feel that they should be treated in the same way. I have examined all the documents relating to this case, and I must remind the hon. Member that I invited him to give me a further certificate elaborating what the doctor had already said, in order that I should know of any special circumstances which enable me to permit these rations to be given, but the only letter I had was one telling me that the child had a dry skin.
§ Mr. J. S. C. ReidIs the hon. Lady's reason for refusing these allowances that she thinks that the doctors do not know their job, or that she does not trust them, because there seems to be no other reason?
§ Dr. SummerskillI think that that is a reflection on the distinguished men who advise us in these matters, all of whom are physicians or surgeons. I must repeat what I have previously said in this House; that we give extra rations in order to alleviate certain symptoms. I do not think that any doctor in this country would say that these extra rations which are being called for, would necessarily alleviate the symptoms of asthma.
§ Mr. ButcherIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.