§ 32. Mr. Donnellyasked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the study being undertaken on his behalf by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine into the results of medical examinations of men called up for National Service.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe inquiry, to which the hon. Member presumably refers, was a statistical survey of some aspects of the medical conditions of a limited number of men medically examined for National Service. My Department made available some data, but the inquiry was not made on my behalf, nor have I any responsibility for its conclusions.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs it not a fact that the inquiry has been widened, and will the right hon. and learned Gentleman, who has been approached by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 17 give full consideration to such an inquiry because this is one of the rare occasions on which the full data of the nation's health can be collected?
§ Sir W. MoncktonAs the hon. Gentleman probably knows, this was a pilot inquiry and dealt with one medical board and one place only, and one of the consequences was that a wider inquiry was thought necessary. If that goes forward, we shall provide them with data as before.
§ Mr. HastingsIn view of the importance of this matter, will the Minister consider instituting a fuller inquiry by his own Department?
§ Sir W. MoncktonWhen I see an inquiry competently conducted going forward outside, I am not inclined to intervene unless I think there is something wrong with it.