10. Dr. Hillasked the Minister of Health what period will be covered by his proposed investigation into the ratio of practice expenses to gross remuneration in the case of general practitioners in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. BevanI propose to discuss with the profession the scope of the investigation, but it is unlikely that figures for any period later than the year ended 31st December, 1949, will be available.
Dr. HillIn view of the fact that since the end of that period motoring costs have risen as a result of the petrol duty and emoluments have been correspondingly reduced, does not the Minister agree that the result of such an inquiry would be correspondingly less accurate and less valuable?
§ Mr. BevanI do not propose to prejudge the nature of the investigation. I am quite sure that the representatives of the medical profession will call the attention of the negotiating authorities to that point.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithWe can depend on that.
23. Mr. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increase in the price of petrol, he will review the scales of remuneration paid to doctors employed in the National Health Service, especially general practitioners with country practices.
§ Mr. BevanI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Luton (Dr. Hill) on 2nd May.
Mr. WakefieldIs the Minister aware that the expenses of country practitioners are likely to rise by anything from £40 to £60 a year as a result of the increase in the price of petrol?
§ Mr. BevanIf I may say so with all respect, I think it is undesirable that the position of one profession in the whole of the National Health Service should be the subject of pressure groups in the House of Commons.