58 
MAJORITY REPORT. 
“It is, therefore, suggested that the best way of 
organising the provision of medical treatment is to merge 
all existing forms of public medical service (including 
medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts) 
into one National Medical Service, thereby creating one 
unified organisation for the prevention and cure of disease. 
Under this system, the service would be provided for all 
persons below a given income limit.’ 
119. We naturally questioned the official witnesses of the 
Ministry of Health on this problem and received replies 
indicating generally that closer co-ordination was regarded as 
desirable. For example :—‘‘ Reference has already been made 
to the general arrangements which have been or may be made 
for co-ordinating the work of public health services with the 
Insurance Medical Service. Any effective arrangements for 
such co-ordination should tend to diminish disease and sickness.’ 
(Maclachlan, Q. 24,226.) 
** As regards the Poor Liaw Service I understand that it is not 
considered that further progress in the direction of co-ordination 
with the Insurance Medical Service is likely so long as the present 
division of work between the various local authorities is 
maintained.”’ (Maclachlan, Q. 24,027.) 
“If provision in one area of two services providing identical 
assistance for different, although only slightly different classes 
of the population is regarded as overlapping, then it is present in 
a very substantial degree.’”” (Maclachlan, Q. 24,037.) 
* The Maternity and Child Welfare Service provides many 
forms of assistance which a slightly different class of woman may 
get from the Poor Law Service. The same would hold good 
I think as regards tuberculosis.” (Maclachlan, Q. 24,088.) 
"The present arrangements are not, however, regarded as 
permanent. The ideal to be aimed at is a single Public Health 
Authority in each area, responsible for the whole of the public 
health services, but this can only be attained in connexion with 
a general reorganisation of local administrative areas and a 
consequent revision of the functions of the local authorities.’ 
(Maclachlan, Q. 24,155.) 
** It cannot be said that there is any general or complete co- 
ordination between the medical work of Poor Law authorities 
and other health services.” (Francis, Q. 24,165.) 
“Is there any sound reason why the provision of medical 
attendance for sick persons who are destitute should be in the 
hands of a separate local authority? ’—“I know of none.’’ 
(Francis, Q. 24,166.) 
“ Would you agree that it would be a great advantage if the 
whole of the health services in any area, whether for the insured 
or uninsured, destitute or not destitute, were in the hands of 
the same authority? Would it be in accordance with the views