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