HC Deb 20 March 1961 vol 637 cc13-4
19. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Health why he reduced the penalty of 50 guineas imposed by the Essex Health Executive Committee on a doctor who failed to comply with his terms of service.

Mr. Powell

Before directing a withholding from the doctor's remuneration I considered not only the executive council's recommendation but also, as required by the Regulations, the doctor's representations and the advice of my Medical Advisory Committee.

Mr. Lipton

Is it not obvious that the Minister has ignored the decision of the local executive council? Is he aware that in this case the doctor refused to visit a 14-year-old boy dying of cancer and give him an injection to prevent unnecessary suffering? Does not the Minister think that the time has come for him no longer to he a party to this covering up of guilty men[...] who should be named and punished just like anyone else who does wrong?

Mr. Powell

The hon. Member's Question does not raise the matter of disclosure of names, on which practice has been uniform since the beginning of the Service. As regards the facts of the case, of course I gave consideration to the recommendation of the executive council and I am considering with the executive council the best method of publishing my reasons for the modification of the council's recommendation.

Mr. Wilkins

Arising out of the reply to the supplementary question, may I ask the Minister whether he will reconsider this practice of not publishing the name of the doctor concerned? There is no individual in any other walk of life who is protected by this privacy, and there is growing public feeling about this, and that the names should be disclosed on occasions like this.

Mr. Powell

The question of the name is a separate one, and I think that it would be better if it were dealt with separately.

Mr. Lipton

When does the Minister propose to publish the further statement after consulting the executive council?

Mr. Powell

As soon as possible.