§ Mr. Viantasked the Minister of Health what expenditure has been incurred annually by local authorities since 1st April, 1930, in the payment of the awards to public vaccinators which were previously paid out of Government grants.
§ Mr. BevanTo compile these particulars for the past 18 years would mean a great deal of labour, and I hope that my hon. Friend will agree that this would not be justified by the value of the information to be obtained.
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§ Mr. Viantasked the Minister of Health if the question of payment of awards to public vaccinators under the powers of the Local Government Act, 1929, was taken into consideration when the public vaccinators' fees were increased under the Vaccination Regulations issued by his Department on 1st December, 1944; and whether he is satisfied that there is sufficient ground for resuscitating the awards as contemplated by his circular to local authorities dated 7th January, 1948; particularly in view of the adverse comments made upon the awards system in the review published by his Department for the guidance of local authorities in February, 1931.
§ Mr. BevanThe increase of fees authorised in 1944 was based on considerations affecting scales of medical fees in general, and the question of awards referred to had no relevance to it. The circumstances mentioned in the second part of the Question are that steps are now being taken to wind up the awards system in view of the repeal of the Vaccination Acts by the National Health Service Act, and accordingly to deal with outstanding payments of awards that have been in suspense in latter years during which national circumstances made it impracticable to maintain periodical payment of them.