§ 82. Mr. Hoyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he made to the deputation from the British Medical Council regarding the appointment of a consultant physician to the Bruntsfield Hospital for Women and Children and the Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital; and if he will make a statement.
87. Sir Ian Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in connection with the appointment of a new consultant physician at the Bruntsfield and Elsie Inglis Hospitals in Edinburgh, he will supply the South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board with a copy of Circular Letter R.H.B. (49) 132 issued in 1949 by the Minister of Health to regional hospital boards in England and Wales.
§ Mr. MaclayI have sent the hon. Member for Leith (Mr. Hoy) a copy of my reply to the British Medical Association. Since the matter is now the subject of an action in the Court of Session, it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment, and I do not propose at this juncture to send any circular to the Board.
§ 86. Mr. M. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many organisations, since the beginning of this 98W year, have indicated directly or indirectly, for example, by being represented on a joint committee, to him or to the hospital boards, their desire for a woman consultant physician to be appointed to the Bruntsfield and Elsie Inglis Hospitals, Edinburgh; and how many organisations have indicated their wish for a man to be appointed.
§ Mr. MaclayThirty-two and none, respectively. The alternative to an appointment limited to women has not of course been an appointment limited to men, but an appointment open to both men and women.