HC Deb 02 March 1948 vol 448 cc209-10
60. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much has been collected in fees from applicants by the Exchange Control Medical Advisory Committee since its establishment; what proportion represents fees taken from those subsequently refused foreign exchange for medical treatment abroad; and what is the composition of the committee.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

£1,659, including £378 from applicants who were subsequently refused foreign exchange for medical treatment abroad. The members of the Committee are all distinguished medical specialists who have received no payment beyond the fees mentioned above. I would add that it has been decided that no fees will be payable by applicants as from 1st March, 1948. In future all applications to the Committee should be made through a doctor and not by the patient himself.

Major Legge-Bourke

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether these people who, after having applied, were not then allowed to go abroad, will have their fees refunded? Is he aware that the fee that has been charged is twice the amount I hat it costs to recruit one man for the Territorial Army?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

We are, as from 1st March, stopping the payment of fees by the patient. I cannot hold out any hope that we can make a refund to all those who have already paid up to that date.