§ Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take on the recommendations in paragraph 37 of the Eighth Report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe contracts of service with medical practitioners mentioned in the paragraph to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers expire in September next, as the report points out, and the recommendations are under consideration.
§ Dr. Howittasked the Minister of Health whether the right hon. Member for North Midlothian (Mr. Colville) and those associated with him have now completed their review of the emergency hospital arrangements in each civil defence region, and with what result?
Mr. MacDonaldMy right hon. Friend and his colleagues, Mr. Rock Carling and the principal supply officer of my Department, have completed their investigations in all the regions except London. They have reported to me that, in their view, the general plan of the emergency hospital scheme is sound and that subject to certain minor defects which are inevitable in the first operations of a new organisation, it has met in an efficient manner the calls so far made upon it. They have, however, recommended a number of modifications in the machine—such as a considerable further measure of decentralisation—all of which I have adopted. My right hon. Friend the Member for North Midlothian (Mr. Colville) has now taken up a military appointment and I am glad to be able to say that Lord Chatfield has agreed to head the commission in their review of the emergency medical service in London. I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing my thanks to the members of the commission for their expeditious work and valuable advice.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether he will give the names and ranks of the assistant hospital officers appointed by him to inspect first-aid posts, and state what experience they have had of modern air-raid casualties?
Mr. MacDonaldThe names of the assistant hospital officers whose duties 423W include the inspection of first-aid posts are as follows:
Colonel G. S. Wallace, O.B.E., M.B.
O. F. H. Atkey, Esq., C.M.G., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., M.B.
Lieut.-Colonel S. W. Jones, O.B.E., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., I.M.S. (Retired).
P. J. Delahunty, Esq., M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.
Lieut.-Colonel C. M. Plumptre, F.R.C.S.
Flight-Lieutenant T. A. G. Hudson, B.A., L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S., L.M.
H. N. Garrus, Esq., M.A., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
H. S. Beadles, Esq., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
Lieut.-Colonel R. T. Wells, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.S.
Lieut.-Colonel E. S. Goss, M.C., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
O. A. Beaumont, Esq., M.C., B.A., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
W. C. Bentall, Esq., O.B.E., F.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
As the hon. Member was informed on 27th June these officers are acquainted with the medical and surgical requirements arising from modern aerial warfare.