asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the proper charges of an appointed factory doctor under the Examining Surgeons Order, 1947, are not recoverable through the National Health Service; and if he will take steps to remedy this anomaly.

I have been asked to reply. These are charges for medical services which the employer is required to obtain under the Factories Acts for the purposes of his general responsibility for health and safety in his employment. The National Health Service, on the other hand, is provided for members of the community in a personal capacity and not to relieve employers of those obligations. It is not anomalous, therefore, that these charges are not recoverable from the National Health Service.