§ 25. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to amend the National Health Service Act to enable a consultant to do preventive as well as clinical medicine.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am not sure what a mendment the hon. Member has in mind, but consultants can be employed by local health authorities as part of their arrangements for the prevention of illness. Preventive health in work places covered by the Factories Acts is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.
§ Mr. PavittIs the Minister aware that unless the Act is amended pioneering efforts in the field of occupational help will be put in jeopardy? In the meantime, will he consider extending the provisions of Section 16 to enable consultants who are co-operating in health units attached to regional or local hospitals in connection with local industry to continue their excellent work?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithSection 16 deals with research and gives me certain powers in that regard. There is a difficulty which arises, for example in the case of the Central Middlesex Hospital which I explained last week, where at the moment power does not exist.