HC Deb 20 June 1955 vol 542 cc1028-9
44. Mr. Baird

asked the Minister of Health what position Dr. Brian Taylor, of Church Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, holds under the National Health Service.

Mr. Iain Macleod

That of a part-time consultant to the board of governors of the United Birmingham Hospitals and to the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

Mr. Baird

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of my constituents who was a footplate man on strike a few weeks ago, and his wife, patients of this doctor, received a letter from the doctor saying: I am afraid my principles prevent me from seeing patients who are on strike, except in cases of emergency. Do you mind postponing your visit with your wife? If you 'phone for an appointment when the strike is over, I will try to fix a convenient date. Is not the action of this doctor completely unethical? Does it not amount to political discrimination? Will the right hon. Gentleman see either that the doctor changes his principles or that his name is withdrawn from the National Health Service list?

Mr. Macleod

The hon. Member, I am sure, knows of the difficulty there is in this situation. If there were any question of breach of contract within the National Health Service, it would be a matter for which I would be answerable in this House, and would be glad to answer, but if it is a question of medical etiquette which the hon. Member seems to raise, that is not for me, nor is the matter of a private arrangement a doctor might make with his private patient.

Mr. Baird

Is it not a fact that this doctor says that his principles do not allow him to see these people? Surely his principles must operate in the National Health Service as a whole and what he is saying is that he will never see a patient on strike?

Mr. Macleod

Equally, there is a matter of principle involved in my reply. I cannot reply on matters for which there is no Ministerial responsibility at all, and that, I am afraid, is the case in this regard.

Mr. H. Morrison

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether a practitioner—a medical person—who makes this discrimination in respect of a man on strike, an official strike, is suitable to be practising in the National Health Service?

Mr. Macleod

The right hon. Member, who is a very distinguished parliamentarian, knows perfectly well the difficulty I am in in responding to this Question. I really do not think I can go beyond what I have said. I do not make the rules of the House. If this is a matter in which there is no Ministerial responsibility, I do not see how I can offer comment on it in this House.

Mr. Baird

As the reply of the Minister is completely unsatisfactory, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter again on the Adjournment.