HC Deb 25 March 1941 vol 370 cc443-4W
Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health what procedure is adopted by the Central Medical War Committee and the local medical war committees in order adequately to decide the relative claims for doctors of the Armed Forces and civilian practice?

Mr. E. Brown

The procedure adopted by these committees in selecting doctors for recruitment to the Forces provides for a full investigation in each case of the needs of civilian practice. The local committee invites representations both from the doctor himself and from interested parties, such as his partners, or, if he is an assistant, his principal, a hospital or any public authority by whom he is employed, and if he is an insurance practitioner, the Insurance Committee. These recommendations are fully considered and if so desired are made orally. If the local committee recommends recruitment, objecting parties may make representations to the Central Committee in the same way.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health what is the personnel of Sir Arthur Robinson's committee in relation to the recruitment of doctors for the Armed Forces; when the committee was constituted; what are its functions; to what extent it works in conjunction with the Central Medical War Committee; and how is the liaison effected?

Mr. Brown

As regards the first two parts of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friends the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on the 6th February and the Member for Rochdale (Dr. Morgan) on 6th March. As the Committee completed its task in January the remaining parts of the Question do not arise.