Medical Facilities (Hansard, 18 July 1988)

§ 25. Mr. Wareing
To ask the Lord President of the Council what plans he has to improve the medical facilities open to Members and staff of the House.

§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John Wakeham)
I am sure that hon. Members on both sides of the House will want to join me in paying tribute to the work of the nursing sister. The medical facilities of the House are kept under continuous review, with improvements being made from time to time on the advice of medical experts. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular point in mind, I suggest that in the first instance he should contact either my hon. Friend the Member for Reading East (Sir G. Vaughan) or the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Dr. Moonie).

§ Mr. Wareing
Does the Lord President of the Council realise that, notwithstanding the marvellous work done by the nursing sister, no other medical staff are available on a full-time basis either to the House of Commons or to Members of the other place? Should there not be medical staff, and should we not make provision for them to consider the health hazards and problems of Members and staff who work in this place? Heaven knows, with this Government introducing so much legislation, it is a wonder that there are still so many well people in this place.
Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that—[Interruption.]

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. It only adds to the time.

§ Mr. Wareing
It is ludicrous that it should be the will of the electorate that determines how many members of the medical profession we have in this place. At the moment we happen to have one hon. Member on either side of the House who is a medical practitioner. Should there not be a more permanent arrangement than that?

§ Mr. Wakeham
I agree that there could be a case for the review of a medical surveillance scheme for hon. Members. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will at least discuss his ideas with my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, East and the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy.
I am sure that we are all extremely grateful to Dr. Snashall, who operates the present service, and to his predecessor Dr. Gage. Provisions for dealing with emergencies of the kind that the hon. Gentleman may have in mind have been made on the advice of the Civil Service medical adviser and have included the training of a number of qualified first-aiders among the staff. In addition, we are fortunate in having a number of excellent hospitals nearby.

§ Mr. Couchman
Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is to be a tug-of-war this evening between Members of the House and Members of the other place in aid of the Macmillan fund, which is an excellent charity? What arrangements has my right hon. Friend made to ensure that medical facilities are on hand in case of accidents in this perilous venture?

§ Mr. Wakeham
I sincerely hope that no special arrangements will be required. I have seen some of the hon. Members who are taking part in the tug-of-war and they look pretty fit to me.