HC Deb 24 October 1940 vol 365 cc1159-61W
Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the difficulties which persons who are air-raid casualties are experiencing owing to the scheme for their treatment being conditional upon their obtaining Form E.M.S. 114 from a hospital; and whether he will review the scheme so as to ensure treatment from their own doctor, if available, without having to report to a hospital and obtaining the special certificate?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I have no reason to believe that there has been any general difficulty in carrying out the scheme to which the hon. Member refers, but I am considering a modification of it in order to meet certain exceptional cases where a visit to a hospital is not practicable.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health what were the precise representations made by the Advisory Emergency Hospital Medical Service Committee with regard to changes in the terms of service of the Emergency Medical Service; what is the effect of the changes made; and will they cost more or less than under the original scheme?

Mr. MacDonald

I am sending the hon. Member a full transcription of the representations referred to, together with a copy of the circular issued by my Department on 18th October, 1940, which sets out the changes made. The financial effect of the changes will in the main depend on the amount of work falling on the Emergency Hospital Organisation as a result of the further course of the war.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Central Medical War Committee has sought to exercise disciplinary authority over general practitioners; whether the committee has any such authority and, if so, what; and, if not, will he take steps to ensure that there is no recurrence of the attitude adopted by the committee?

Mr. MacDonald

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative, but if the hon. Member will let me have particulars of the occasion to which he refers, I will make inquiries.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in many areas doctors are unaware of the members of the local medical war committee purporting to represent them and that the secretary of one local medical war committee has refused to give the names and addresses of his committee; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the activities of these committees as meetings are not being held?

Mr. MacDonald

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. I see no reason to intervene as suggested in the second part, but if the hon. Member will let me have particulars of the case in which the secretary is alleged to have refused to disclose the personnel of the committee, I will make inquiries.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health what steps were taken to check the recommendations of the Central Emergency Committee of the British Medical Association for appointments on the Central Medical War Committee; and were any such recommendations not adopted or were they accepted en bloc as submitted?

Mr. MacDonald

The constitution of the Central Medical War Committee recommended by the Central Emergency Committee was reviewed as a whole, and as it was found to be widely representative of the profession it was adopted without alteration.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken under Regulation 58A of the Emergency Powers (Defence) General Regulations as regards medical practitioners; who are the senior officers of the Ministry of Health and of the Department of Health for Scotland he has appointed for such purpose; what is their particular experience; what are their other official duties and activities; and will he consider obtaining the co-operation of the Medical Practitioners' Union?

Mr. MacDonald

I have been asked to reply. No occasion has so far arisen for the exercise in regard to medical practitioners of the powers referred to by the hon. Member. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service has appointed to be National Service officers for this purpose the Assistant Secretaries of my Department and the Department of Health for Scotland who are responsible for the administration of matters relating to the supply of medical personnel. As regards the last part of the Question, the Government are advised on these matters by the Central Medical War Committee, which, in the opinion of the Government, adequately represents the interests of the medical profession as a whole. I therefore see no reason to invite the views of the Medical Practitioners' Union in particular.