§ 42. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the regulations of his Department do not permit free X-ray for purposes of employment, emigration and other reasons, but that mass radiography units are now operating free of charge; and what is his policy with regard to amending the regulations to enable X-ray facilities to be available for a wider variety of purposes than at present.
82W
§ Mr. Walker-SmithFull-scale X-ray examinations for these purposes are not within the scope of the hospital and specialist services provided under Section 3 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, and charges are therefore made for these. Mass miniature radiography is however a diagnostic preventive health service available free to all on demand. I am not satisfied that any alteration of the present arrangements is desirable.