HC Deb 23 June 1958 vol 590 cc17-8
38. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange for the refund of National Health Service charges to nurses and other employees of the Health Service.

Mr. Walker-Smith

No, Sir. I see no reason why employees in the National Health Service should be given a privileged position in this respect.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is the Minister aware that police staff and fire brigade staff are granted this concession of a refund of their charges under the National Health Service? If so, why on earth should not those who work in the Health Service be granted a refund?

Mr. Walker-Smith

Any refund which is given can only be a matter either of the specific statutory exemptions in the Act, in the Regulations of 1952 or the amending Regulations of 1956, or it is a refund from employers.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman not aware that police and fire brigade officers have this refund granted and, therefore, there is no question of putting these workers in a specially privileged position, as this is being already done in other cases?

Mr. Walker-Smith

They are not being given a refund by my Department.