HC Deb 07 August 1941 vol 373 cc2102-3W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make inquiries into the case of a university medical graduate, in Birmingham, whose name has been submitted to him, whom it is proposed to commission in one of the Services; and, in view of the protests by firms producing aircraft and by other bodies employing him, and by the Ministry of Aircraft Production, in Birmingham, that the removal of this officer will injure their work, will this doctor now be released from the obligation to serve in a military capacity?

Mr. E. Brown

My attention has already been called to the case to which my hon. Friend refers. I am informed that it has been fully considered by the Central Medical War Committee who heard the doctor and the managing director of one of the firms employing him and had before them particulars of his various appointments. The committee were satisfied that other doctors were available for these duties and that his recruitment as a medical officer would not prejudice the medical work required at the factories referred to. I understand, however, that the doctor's recruitment has been postponed by a Military Service (Hardship) Committee.