§ 1 and 5. Mr. Somerville Hastingsasked the Minister of Health (1) what arrangements he has made for practitioners who are willing to undertake full-time service in health centres in any part of the country to secure an opportunity to practise their profession in this way;
(2) what steps he takes to ensure agreement by suitable practitioners of a district to undertake service in a health centre before he sanctions the provision of such a centre by new construction or adaptation.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)Before approving a health centre I obtain an assurance from the Executive Council, after consulting the local medical committee, either that enough local doctors want to practise there or that the need for more doctors in the area would justify advertising vacancies.
§ Mr. HastingsWith reference to the first Question, does not my right hon. Friend think that if he agreed to the arrangement suggested there it would greatly improve the distribution of doctors, which is most unequal at present?
§ Mr. BevanAs my hon. Friend is probably aware, a special committee of the Central Health Services Cowed is exploring the whole question of the lines on which health centres should be developed.