§ 42. Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Health why the Oldham lady, whose name has been supplied to him, and who is working at heavy work in the cotton mill, is not allowed to obtain surgical corsets through the National Health Service after having been able to obtain them previously for some considerable time.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)I have written to my hon. Friend explaining that this patient was not given a surgical corset because, in the opinion of the specialist who examined her, none is necessary.
§ Mr. HaleIs my right hon. Friend aware that he is under a misapprehension? I did not want him to tell me why the lady could not have a corset, but how she could have a corset. Is he saying that there is no right of appeal from a medical practitioner under the National Health Act?
§ Mr. BevanThis is not a medical practitioner, but a specialist who has decided, according to my information, that no medical corset is necessary and, therefore, none is provided. If my hon. Friend wishes to know how to get a medical corset, it must be got from a specialist in the hospital service.