ABSTRACT
As the negotiating committee assembled before the Minister of Health on February 28, 1947, Dr. H. Guy Dain opened the session with a reminder. Contrary to the earlier limitations imposed, the profession fully intended to discuss certain principles within the framework of the act itself: principles that well might require amending legislation. Bevan acknowledged that as long as the House of Commons existed so too did the possibility of amending legislation. Yet he felt that many of the profession's fears might be set aside once talks resumed. Dividing into six sub-committees which met with Ministry of Health officials throughout the summer, the negotiating committee as a whole did not meet Bevan again until December 1947. Each side pursued its own tendentious course. Ultimately responsible for giving life to the National Health Service Act, the Ministry of Health hastened to create de novo two administrative structures: one for the hospital services, the other for the general practitioner services. Yet the profession viewed any steps taken in this direction as premature, as an attempt to impede negotiations.1 When the negotiating committee stated its case at the December summit, all hope vanished for a successful conclusion to the meetings. Twelve points needed modification before acceptance by the profession-modification which would destroy victories which Bevan had wrested during recent parliamentary debates. If those points were examined, the truth became inescapable. Satisfying professional demands would mean for Bevan "unconditional surrender.''2
