§ 50. Colonel Stoddart-Scottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the life of Mr. J. M. Heron, correspondence about whose case has been sent to him, depends upon his going at once to Switzerland for treatment; and if he will, at the earliest moment, make the necessary exchange available.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe Exchange Control Medical Advisory Committee have reconsidered the application carefully and sympathetically, but, as the hon. and gallant Member is aware, they have not felt justified in altering their previous refusal.
§ Colonel Stoddart-ScottIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman going to hide behind this Committee which has not met since last October, whereas this application was received only last month? Is the Committee made up of such nonentities that he will not even give their names?
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir, I do not propose to give their names. It would be very undesirable for personal pressure to be brought to bear upon them. As far as the Committee are concerned, I think they are better judges than I am of the illness of a particular individual.
§ Earl WintertonIf there is medical evidence to the effect that this man's life 1685 can be saved only by going to Switzerland, is the right hon. and learned Gentleman not taking a very serious moral responsibility in refusing the necessary amount of money?
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir, that is what the medical board is for. There are many people who would like to go to Switzerland, but everyone cannot go and the medical board has to decide which are the most necessary cases.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeSince this Exchange Control Medical Advisory Committee must be a go-between between the private consultant and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how do we know that it does not act in the interests of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and not of the patient?
§ Colonel Stoddart-ScottOwing to the inhuman answer the Chancellor of the Exchequer has given, I shall take the very earliest opportunity to raise this question on the Adjournment.