HC Deb 19 June 1952 vol 502 cc1527-8
2. Dr. Broughton

asked the Minister of Health whether it is still necessary under his regulations, since the abolition of identity cards, for medical practitioners to ascertain the identity numbers of patients applying for treatment as temporary residents.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Iain Macleod)

Yes, Sir, and I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my predecessor on 21st February.

Dr. Broughton

If the Minister insists upon doctors inserting identity numbers upon National Health Service forms is not that imposing an additional administrative difficulty upon medical practitioners? Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether his predecessor discussed this obvious difficulty with representatives of the medical profession before, or immediately after, the abolition of identity cards?

Mr. Macleod

I cannot agree that the difficulties are as serious as the hon. Gentleman suggests. It would, of course, be normal for a doctor in urgent cases to accept the patients, because it might be that inquiries, which are not a matter for the doctor but for the executive council, would take some time.

Lieut-Colonel Lipton

Is it not a fact that despite the abolition of identity cards the elaborate administrative structure behind the identity card system is still having to be maintained?

Mr. Macleod

No, Sir.

Mr. George Jeger

Does this not mean that the recent gesture of the Government in saying that identity cards were unnecessary, in order to set the people free, is just as "phoney" as the rest of their programme?

Mr. Macleod

The answer again is "No, Sir." It was made clear by my predecessor that these numbers would be retained for the National Health Service Act.