§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Health whether the Medical Central War Committee advise the Minister of Labour as well as himself regarding the reservation of doctors; whether in cases where one doctor has over 6,000 patients he will arrange for Army doctors, called up and serving at home, to be available in surgeries and dispensaries in addition to their military duties; and whether in view of the present strain on the medical profession and the number of doctors who are ill, an immediate survey will be made through representatives in the various regions?
§ Mr. WillinkWith regard to the first part of the Question, doctors are not reserved from military service, but are recruited to the Armed Forces as medical officers under special arrangements, agreed in 1940 between my predecessor and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, whereby the Central Medical War Committee advises on the selection of individual doctors for commissions. In carrying out this work the Committee acts under the auspices of my Department, although the 'Ministry of Labour and National Service is represented at the Committee by an observer. As to the second and third parts of the Question, arrangements have already been made, as stated in a reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle) on 9th December, for Army medical officers to give as much help as their essential service duties permit to doctors in urgent need. I will send my hon. and gallant Friend copies of the circulars recently issued from my Department, showing how the plan is to be carried out in the regions.