§ Lieut. - Colonel JAMESasked the Minister of Health if he can give the number of public health officials employed on whole-time duties in Bromley, Kent, together with the nature of those duties; whether these officials have hitherto been controlled by a part-time medical officer; whether he proposes to substitute a whole-time medical officer to replace this latter official; whether he has received protests at what is locally considered to be an unnecessary expenditure of local funds to pay this official; and what action he is taking in the matter?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe whole-time Public Health staff employed by the Bromley Borough Council consists of two inspectors of nuisances and two health visitors acting under the general supervision of the medical officer of health. There are in addition certain officers employed on school medical services. The appointment of a medical officer of health rests with the borough council, and the original proposal to employ a whole-time medical officer of health came from them. In addition to performing the duties of medical officer of health, the officer in question will act as supervising school medical officer, and will be in charge also of the maternity and child welfare work of the borough. I am advised that the pro- 1819W posed arrangement would be both economical and useful, and I do not therefore see my way to withhold my general approval of the proposal. The only protest which I have received has been from my hon. and gallant Friend himself.