§ 63. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health what steps he takes to acquaint himself with the views of the leaders and rank and file of the medical profession on medical and scientific questions and the ethics of the profession.
§ Mr. TurtonI am in close and constant touch with the advisory bodies with which Parliament has provided me under Section 2 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, with the Joint Committee of Consultants and Specialists and with the British Medical Association; in addition there are frequent informal contacts between my Department and the various members and spokesmen of the profession.
§ Mr. HastingsIs it the view of the right hon. Gentleman that when a doctor finds himself opposed to the scientific thought of the leaders of his profession he should cease to be guided by his own knowledge and conscience, and follow blindly the leaders of his profession? That is what was said by Lord Woolton in another place.
§ Mr. TurtonI never believe that any doctor should follow anybody blindly.