asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the proposed reduction in the Forces, he will reconsider the call-up of the medical officer of health for Enfield.

I am advised that this medical officer's services are still required by the Forces, though the future needs of the medical branches of the Forces will, of course, be subject to review in the light of the proposed reduction.

Will my right hon. Friend give very careful reconsideration to this matter, in view of the fact that this medical officer of health is 38 years of age and had only been able to be a full-time medical officer of health for Enfield for 12 months, that a deputy has only recently been named, and that the health centre will be seriously affected if this officer is called up?

As my hon. Friend knows, very careful inquiry has been made into this matter, but it is not fair that doctors should be retained in the Forces beyond a just period in order that other doctors may remain in civil life. There is always a matter of equity between the one to be called up and the one to be released, and that has always to be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Health the number of full-time medical officers of health that have been called up to serve with His Majesty's Forces during 1947; and their number over 30, 35 and 40 years of age, respectively.

Four whole-time public health medical officers have been called up during 1947, and two others are now under consideration for recruitment, Another has been nominated for call-up, but has been granted postponement on grounds of personal hardship. All these are over 35 and under 40.

In view of his reply, does my right hon. Friend really believe that there are not cases where the detrimental effect would be less than in the case of Enfield, which has a population of over 100,000?

I admire my hon. Friend for pushing Enfield's claims, but I must have regard to the claims of the country as a whole. I think he will realise from what I have said that very few medical officers of health have been called up, and that, therefore, the danger to public health is not great.

Is it not a fact that the proportion of medical officers in the Services is about four times as great as that in civil life?

I do not know whether my hon. Friend means medical officers or doctors, They are in completely different categories. But I can assure my hon. Friend that I am very conscious of the need for more doctors in civil life, and the Forces will not be allowed to steal more than they can justly claim.