§ Dr. Petersasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mr. A. A. Vickery, an osteopathic physician, of 18, Derwent Road, Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green, N.13, has been sentenced to imprisonment for refusing to submit for medical examination, and that he has taken this step to bring to public notice the repeated refusals of the Ministry to acknowledge the healing work of osteopaths or accept offers of service to our troops by osteopaths; whether he will make a statement of his intentions with regard to skilled osteopaths and what part they should take in any general scheme for medical services, to safeguard the rights of individual sufferers to choose whatever treatment they prefer?
§ Mr. E. BrownMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service has informed me of the facts of this case, and I understand that Mr. Vickery has now applied to the appellate tribunal for reconsideration of his position as a conscientious objector. With regard to the last part of the Question, I am not yet in a position to add to what has already been announced on the subject of a comprehensive medical service, which is under consideration with representatives of the professional and other interests concerned.