§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health what objections he has received from the British Medical Association to the appointment of representatives of the Medical Practitioners' Union on the Central Medical War Committee?
§ Mr. ElliotI have received no communication from the British Medical Association on this subject.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health the precise functions and duties of the Central Medical War Committee; why it has only met twice to date; whether its costs and expenses fall to be met out of public funds; if so, how much has it already cost; and, if not, who bears such costs and expenses?
982W
§ Mr. ElliotOn the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 12th December. As to the second part, it is for the chairman of the committee to decide when a meeting should be called. As to the other parts, the Government bears the expenses claimed by the members in connection with meetings, amounting to £20 to date, as well as the expenses of maintaining the register, particulars of which were supplied in my reply to the hon. Member on the 6th February. Any remaining expenses have been borne by the British Medical Association.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Medical Practitioners' Union claims to be particularly representative of general medical practitioners, has some thousands of members, and has regularly published a weekly journal for over a quarter of a century; and why this organization which could afford useful assistance in our war effort has no representative on the Central Medical War Committee?
§ Mr. ElliotI could not usefully express any opinion on the claims advanced by the organization referred to, but I am satisfied that the great majority of general practitioners are represented by the Central Medical War Committee as at present constituted.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether it was with the approval of his Department that the Circular D40 dated February, 1940, was sent out by the British Medical Association under the heading of the Central Medical War Committee, in which was included matter having no bearing upon the committee's activities and used for propaganda to obtain members; when was it passed by a full meeting of the committee; and whether any part of the out-of-pocket expenses are from time to time reimbursed to the British Medical Association out of public funds has been, or will be used in respect of the preparation, printing or distribution of this circular?
§ Mr. ElliotThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. I am informed that it was not thought necessary to submit the circular to a full meeting of the committee before issue. As stated in my replies to the hon. Member on 25th January and 6th February, 983W the out-of-pocket expenses which have been reimbursed to the British Medical Association are solely for the maintenance of the emergency register of practitioners.