HC Deb 03 February 1949 vol 460 cc260-1W
60. Mr. Odey

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the unsatisfactory way in which the Exchange Control Advisory Committee are dealing with applications for foreign exchange to permit patients to receive essential treatment abroad, he will consult with the Minister of Health with a view to the revision of the terms of reference to this Committee so that, in future, decisions arrived at are based solely upon the medical evidence submitted.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The Exchange Control Medical Advisory Committee is dealing with applications in a satisfactory way, and I do not think that any revision of its terms of reference is required. Applications are approved wherever treatment abroad is essential to recovery and suitable treatment cannot be obtained elsewhere in the sterling area. The Committee's decisions are taken on purely medical grounds. If the hon. Member has any particular case or cases in mind in which he thinks that the Committee's decision was wrong, I shall be glad to inquire into them.

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