§ 19. Mr. Lawsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received urging the preservation of the character of the Bruntsfield Hospital for Women and Children and the Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh, as institutions where women and children may be cared for by legally qualified medical women.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneRepresentations have been received from hon. Members, from the board of management concerned, from a number of bodies, mainly societies representing women, and from a large number of private persons.
§ Mr. LawsonIs the Joint Under-Secretary aware that hon. Members on this side of the House—and, I presume, hon. Members opposite—are receiving representations on this question by every post? Although my constituency is some distance away, I have received at least twenty communications from constituents concerned with this question. Is not one of the jobs of the Secretary of State to protect the users of hospitals from unnecessary bureaucracy? Is not that what is happening? Are we not being treated with unnecessary bureaucracy?
§ Mr. BrowneWe had an Adjournment debate about this last night. I can once more assure the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend, in refraining from intervention, has taken all relevant factors into account.