Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the action of directors of emergency public health laboratories in soliciting chemical and bacteriological practice in competition with public analysts, consulting chemists and bacteriologists; and since such action is contrary to the intention expressed in the circular-letter issued by the Minister on 5th September, 1939, that the scheme should not interfere in any way with the operation of normal services, if he will take steps to put a stop to this practice.
§ Mr. WillinkI have received representations to the effect stated by my hon. Friend, and my predecessor issued last year instructions calling attention to the purpose of the emergency public health laboratories. I am at present making inquiry into particular cases, brought to my notice by representatives of public analysts, in which they consider that work has been improperly diverted from public analysts.