§ Mr. Asterley Jonesasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to premature disclosure in the Press of accounts of proceedings in his recent discussions with the doctors; and whether he has any statement to make on the release of this information.
§ Mr. BevanYes. In certain newspapers I have been accused of premature disclosure of matters which were discussed by me with the Negotiating Committee of the profession and which it was agreed should not be published before today. The discussions in question took place between some 40 representatives of the profession or Officials of the British Medical Association, the Secretary of State for Scotland, myself and some officers. So far as my right hon. Friend, myself and our officers are concerned, I can state categorically that no disclosure of any kind has been made or condoned. The motives underlying these statements can only have been to embitter my relations with a profession whose co-operation I am sincerely seeking. Fortunately, I do not believe that many in the profession are actuated by such motives.