HC Deb 05 September 1940 vol 365 cc31-2W
Mr. Groves

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the local Medical War Committee drew up the circular issued to medical practitioners in Glasgow headed "Duties of Doctors in Air-Raids," and when consultation took place with the Department of Health?

Mr. E. Brown

The circular referred to was issued by the Glasgow Local Medical War Committee on 30th July, 1940, after consultation with the Department of Health's Hospital Officer.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health whether instructions have been or will he given that air-raid casualties should not be left in the open and should be protected from anti-aircraft fire, rain, coal, &c., until the arrival of ambulances; and what arrangements have been made for taking casualties under cover where the distance of the nearest ambulance centre makes delay inevitable?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I am advised that the need for affording casualties protection and shelter in the circumstances indicated by the hon. Member is well understood by those operating the casualty services, and that no special instructions by my Department are called for.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health, who is responsible for seeing that in every village some suitable site or premises have been marked down for use in connection with a mobile medical unit; and, where this has not been done, whether he will now give instructions to that end so that those responsible for such premises may be prepared for all contingencies?

Mr. MacDonald

It is the function of medical officers of health in charge of casualty services to arrange for the noting of premises in their area suitable for use by mobile first aid posts if the need should arise. Instructions to this effect have been issued through my hospital officers, who are in touch with medical officers of health on the matter.