§ 42. Mr. W. Griffithsasked the Minister of Health what recent proposals he has received from the British Medical Association affecting the structure and administration of the National Health Service.
§ 43. Mr. Peartasked the Minister of Health what recent representations he has had from the British Medical Association concerning the future structure of the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have received no recent proposals from the Association about the structure and administration of the National Health Service, but I am aware that committees of the Association are studying this matter. I have also seen Press reports of what was said at the Association's recent Annual Meeting.
§ Mr. GriffithsNo doubt the Minister will be getting it from the British Medical Association. Meanwhile, is he aware that at the B.M.A. Annual Meeting, Sir Arthur Porritt, the President, described the National Health Service as a dismal failure and suggested that we should end the present system and set up a British medical corporation and, in particular, end Ministerial responsibility to Parliament for the day-to-day conduct of the National Health Service? Is the Minister aware that at a time when most hon. Members, on both sides, want a greater degree of Parliamentary accountability for industries and services, most hon. Members would regard that as a retrograde move? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman give an assurance that the Government will not contemplate a move of any such kind?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have not been asked to, as I said in answer to the original Question. I think I am right in saying that the presidential orations at the Annual Conference of the British Medical Association do not necessarily reflect the official policy of that Association The whole House is fully aware of tie importance of our constitutional doctrine of the control by Parliament of public money and the consequential responsibility of Ministers therefor.