§ Mr. Wootton-Daviesasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the concern felt in Radcliffe, Lanes, at the calling up for military service of a doctor who has 3,100 panel patients and who, unable to obtain an assistant, is endeavouring, with three surgeries to do the work of two men in an industrial district which has no hospital; that the Lancashire Insurance Committee admits that the position will be strained by the doctor's departure: and whether, in the 1720W interests of the community, he will take steps to enable the doctor to remain at his post?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am aware of the facts of this case, on which my hon. Friend has corresponded with me. I regret as much as he does any inconvenience which may be caused to his constituents by calling up the doctor, but I am afraid that a similar situation prevails in the country as a whole and is inevitable if the medical needs of the Forces are to be met. The Central Medical War Committee, which is responsible for recommending the selection of individual doctors to provide the numbers required, has advised after a full investigation that the doctor's patients can be attended by the other doctors remaining in the area, and I do not feel justified in taking steps to prevent his recruitment.