HC Deb 29 June 1950 vol 476 cc2435-6
29. Mr. Marlowe

asked the Minister of Health upon what considerations the medical committee of a hospital is expected to make recommendations to the Distinction Awards Committee; what qualities in a doctor are to be regarded as justifying a recommendation for merit money; upon what grounds the medical committee is to grade those recommended for the highest, the second and the lowest rate of merit money; and whether the decisions of the Awards Committee will be published.

Mr. Bevan

A medical committee, like any other body wishing to make a recommendation, will, no doubt, form its own judgment on these matters, and I do not intervene. I have not yet received any recommendations of the Awards Committee, and it is too early to decide about the desirability of publication.

Mr. Marlowe

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that he is asking medical committees to express an opinion upon matters about which they know practically nothing, a course which they will find very difficult, although I realise it is a thing which never presents any difficulties to the right hon. Gentleman?

Mr. Bevan

There is no need for that supplementary, not the slightest. This is a very competent medical body, which is deciding upon the merits of members of its own profession, and I do not propose to intervene. I will pronounce no judgment whatsoever upon the awards that it makes.

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