HC Deb 17 October 1940 vol 365 cc839-40W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a distinguished dental surgeon, appointed under the Emergency Medical Service as senior oral surgeon to the East Grinstead Maxillo facial centre and, having held that position for the past year, has resigned as a protest against the unsatisfactory conditions in the centre, resulting from faulty organisation and unwise interference with the senior officers by the adviser to the Ministry in Maxillo facial surgery; and whether he will institute an immediate inquiry into these circumstances.

Mr. M. MacDonald

I have now got this matter under consideration, but am not at the moment in a position to make a statement about it.

Sir W. Jenkins

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that it has been not unusual for doctors attached to first-aid posts to report at those posts even on a preliminary warning of an air-raid, as well as on occasions when a public warning has been given which did not result in bombing or casualties; whether, as each such attendance involves the State in a payment of 1½ guineas in addition to a retaining fee of £70 in an A area, and 21 guineas in other areas, he will state the cost involved in the first six months of the year 1940; and whether he will consider some reduction in this cost, in view of the fact that so many aid-raid-precautions volunteers render services who are called out for duty, and do so without any remuneration?

Mr. MacDonald

I am not aware that doctors have usually reported at first-aid posts as stated in the first part of the question. I am sending the hon. Member copies of two circulars in which local authorities have been informed of the procedure to be followed in the matter. Doctors should not receive payments in addition to any retaining fees, except for attendance at first-aid posts when summoned from the control centre, and at mobile units whenever a public warning is sounded. The position in regard to mobile units is under reconsideration. The figure of cost involved in the chargeable attendances is not available as a separate item for the period mentioned. As to the third part of the Question, the circulars aim at securing economy of cost as well as avoiding unnecessary demands on medical personnel.