| Description | Letter from Neville Chamberlain to Lord Askwith [George Askwith, 1st Baron, 1861-1942] saying that he is happy that 'you have been able to find the time to help us by acting as Chairman of the Conference between representatives of the Associations of Local Authorities and of the British Medical Association and Society of Medical Officers of Health in regard to salary and terms of service of Medical Officers of Health. The question has been the subject of a good deal of controversy and it is of very great importance to the proper organisation of public health work. I sincerely hope that under your guidance the two sides may make progress towards a settlement, even if they do not reach a complete settlement and I need scarcely say that I shall be only too glad to help'.
Written on Ministry of Health headed paper, dated 8 February 1929.
In 1918 Chamberlain followed his father, Joseph Chamberlain, and older half-brother, Austen Chamberlain, to become a member of parliament. He declined a junior ministerial position, remaining a backbencher until 1922. He was rapidly promoted in 1923 to Minister of Health and then Chancellor of the Exchequer. After a short Labour-led government, he returned as Minister of Health, introducing a range of reform measures from 1924 to 1929. |