§ 46. Mr. Abseasked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation to prevent unregistered medical practitioners carrying on cosmetic operations for such purposes as remodelling busts, straightening and shortening noses, removal of pouches under the eyes, and correcting obtruding ears, in view of the disfigurement and danger to health which may result from this class of operation.
§ Mr. PowellNo, Sir.
§ Mr. AbseIs the Minister aware that there are in existence beauty bureaux sending out advertisements publicly inviting people to have all these operations performed upon them, that the operations are performed by quacks and people who have never had any medical qualifications whatever, and there is ample evidence that they cause serious harm? Does the Minister not consider it a very unsatisfactory position that, whereas a person cannot obtain spectacles except from a registered optician, or dental treatment except from a registered dentist, it is possible for anyone with impunity to wield a surgeon's scalpel with very serious results?
§ Mr. PowellI have no evidence of harmful effects from the kind of treatment the hon. Member has mentioned, but if he will let me have the evidence to which he has referred I shall look into it.
§ Mr. PowellIf there were considered to be clinical grounds for doing so.