§ Mr. AINSWORTHasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the necessity of an improved medical service for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and also to the fact, as made clear by the Report of Sir John Dewar's Committee, that the rateable value of the Highland counties is insufficient to meet the demands of modern local government, especially as regards medical service; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the present state of affairs in these counties?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI have carefully considered the Report of the Committee, and my knowledge of the Highlands and Islands leads me to agree entirely with their view that an improved medical service is urgently needed. The Report has also received the sympathetic attention of the Government. A special item for the current year dealing in part with this matter appears in the Supplementary Estimates, and the whole subject is receiving the most careful consideration.