MAJORITY REPORT. 
if) 
Maternity and Child Welfare service is subject in certain aspects 
of its work to a means test, but in other branches it is generally 
available to all who may care to make use of its facilities. 
1387. On a general survey of these instances it is possible wo 
recognise a guiding principle running through the differences 
Certain of the services are conducted not only in the interests of 
the individual but perhaps even more fundamentally for the 
general well-being of the community. Others again are of a 
much more personal kind and in these the interests of the 
individual constitute the sole end, and not merely an end inci- 
dentally promoted in seeking the public good. In the latter 
class of case where the interests of the. individual are the 
dominant consideration, payment may legitimately be required 
of the individual if his financial circumstances so warrant. 
On the other hand, in the former type of case where in any 
event the general interests of the public would dictate the ex- 
pediency of not leaving the individual unattended, it might be 
inappropriate to call upon the individual to defray the whole, or 
indeed any part of the cost incurred in respect of the service 
rendered to him. But we may suggest that this distinction, like 
the general distinction between public health and the health of 
the individual, from which it arises, is one on which, as time 
goes on, it must become increasingly difficult to insist. 
GENERAL CONCLUSION 
138. We have mentioned these problems in a general way 
because, although they are not of immediate practical importance, 
we feel sure that sooner or later they must be faced. Having 
indicated our views on the need for effective co-ordination of 
all the health services, whether at the centre or in the local 
administration, it is sufficient to leave particular problems, and 
especially those of a financial character, to be solved in the light 
of the developments of that considerable period which must elapse 
before full effect can be given to the general principles we 
have enunciated. In the circumstances of that time, financial 
considerations may have emerged, and social conditions 
may have changed, in a way that is difficult to forecast, 
and anything we may say now must necessarily be thus qualified. 
But, if we may venture to pronounce on this malter, we 
are of opinion that the difficulties of a composite support to a 
completed medical service from insurance funds as well as from 
grants and rates would be so considerable alike in their financial, 
administrative and social aspects that some more practical 
solution must be sought. In particular we feel sure that the 
wider the scope of these services, the more difficult will it be to 
retain the insurance principle. The ultimate solution will lie, 
we think, in the direction of divorcing the medical service en- 
tirely from the insurance system and recognising it along with