The Times of Thursday published a letter from the Presi-
dents of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Surgeons in answer to Mr. Lloyd George's attack. On February 12th Mr. Lloyd George said that his invitation to the Royal Colleges to discuss the Insurance Bill had been refused by the Colleges in a manner that was "curt, undigni- fied, and discourteous," and that the action of the Colleges was a "rude ineptitude which was utterly without parallel, fortunately, in the history of this country." The letter points out that the invitation to which Mr. Lloyd George refers was from the National Health Insurance Commissioners; that it was the first occasion on which the opinion of the Royal Colleges had been sought; and that the invita- tion was sent at such short notice that there was not enough time to consult the bodies concerned. Soon after the Insurance Bill was introduced the Royal Colleges approached the Government and stated their strong objections to the Bill. The Bill, however, became an Act without showing any consideration for the views of the Royal Colleges. Yet ultimately the Royal Colleges were invited to meet the Commissioners in order to frame measures for carry- ing out an Act against which they had always protested. The text of the letters refusing this invitation is given, and in neither case can we discern any want of dignity or any rude- ness whatever. On the contrary, both letters state that if the Government will introduce an Amending Bill the Royal Colleges will give all the assistance in their power.
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