§ 17. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health what was the total cost to the National Health Service of the home-to-hospital travelling expenses of part-time consultants and senior hospital medical and dental officers, for each year since 31st December, 1959.
§ Mr. BraineI regret this information is not available.
§ Mr. PavittIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that he increasingly gives me answers like that? In view of the fact that both the Royal Commission and the Kindersley Committee said that these payments are an anomaly, will not he take steps to obtain the information and to give it to the House? Will not he seek to remove this anomaly?
§ Mr. BraineNo, Sir. The Royal Commission recommended that the continued payment of these expenses to those whose rights had been reserved should be reviewed in due course by the Review Body. The Review Body says in its Report,
We agree with the Royal Commission that these payments are anomalous but we note that they are confined to those who were receiving them on 31st December, 1959 and that they will die out gradually in any event. We see no reason at the moment to recommend any alteration in these arrangements.
§ Mr. PavittIt is costing the taxpayer money. If we recognise that there is an anomaly, is it not right to find the information? Is not this a dereliction of duty on the part of the Minister in not obtaining this information and giving it to us?
§ Mr. BraineThere is no question of dereliction of duty on the part of the Ministry. The hon. Member should know, and I am surprised that he does not know, that this was part of an agreement reached with the profession.