39. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will issue instructions that medical examinations required by the adoption regulations should be obtainable under the National Health Service.
§ Mr. SnowGeneral practitioners in the National Health Service are not permitted under their terms of service to make a charge for the medical examination of patients on their lists, but they are required to provide without charge only a limited range of medical certificates. A charge can be made for certificates required in connection with adoption. I am making further inquiries, and I will write to my hon. Friend.
Mr. MitchellI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that under the adoption regulations a number of medical examinations have to be held—at least three and sometimes five—and that it is the current practice in many parts of the country to charge at least £3 3s. each for these examinations?
§ Mr. SnowYes, Sir; I was aware of that. The British Medical Association recommends to its members a scale of fees for private certificates, but, as I said, I am making further inquiries.