§ 42. Major Guy Lloydasked the Minister of National Insurance how many reports have been received from doctors of dishonest attempts to obtain sick certificates from them.
§ Dr. SummerskillI am not aware that any such reports have been made to my Department.
§ Major LloydWithout wishing to cast any reflection on the right hon. Lady's department as a result of that confession. may I ask whether she has made inquiries and found out that this is a racket which is notorious everywhere else, and will she do something about it?
§ Dr. SummerskillI really must register a protest on behalf of the patients and the doctors. Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that, if a patient goes to see a doctor and asks for a certificate to which he is not properly entitled, the doctor will refuse, but will not communicate with me on the subject? In fact, my Department has no responsibility for this matter.
§ Major LloydDoes the right hon. Lady say that her Department is the only Department which has not heard the views of doctors all over the country on this subject, which we have heard?
§ Dr. SummerskillIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me any evidence—two or three letters from these doctors—perhaps I might change my mind, but I challenge him.