§ 43. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Minister of Health if he will state his reasons for abolishing the post of chairman of the Welsh Board of Health?
§ Sir K. WOODOn the retirement of Sir Thomas Hughes from the chairmanship of the Welsh Board of Health the position was reviewed as is the case from time to time with all sections of my Department, in order to make sure that a proper relation existed between the personnel engaged and the work falling upon the Board. This review showed that the bulk of the Board's work is done and done satisfactorily by the members in their individual capacity and meetings of the Board for collective deliberation are only rarely held. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend felt that the employment of four higher officers on the Board was no longer justified and that the work could quite well be done in future by three. I may add that the Ministry of Health Act, 1919, 32 empowers my right hon. Friend to appoint such officers as he thinks fit to constitute a Board of Health in Wales and it neither specifies any number nor lays down that there shall be any chairman.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the abolition of this post is causing a great deal of feeling throughout Wales and a certain amount of indignation; and will he not ask the Minister of Health to reconsider his decision and at the same time inquire if the Minister of Health is willing to receive a deputation on the subject?
§ Colonel WOODCOCKCan the Parliamentary Secretary state the amount of money that has been saved by abolishing this appointment and will he look into other Departments?
§ Sir K. WOODI believe there is a saving of about £1,600 a year. I think there is some misapprehension if any indignation has arisen as regards the particular action which the Minister of Health has taken. The number of the Board at the present moment is the same as when it was first constituted by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) when he was Prime Minister.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman willing to receive a deputation on this subject?
§ Sir K. WOODI think the hon. Baronet had better communicate with the Minister of Health.
§ Mr. MORRISIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a volume of protest throughout the length and breadth of Wales in regard to the abolition of this appointment, and that protest comes not only from the Liberal party but also from members of the Conservative party as well? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the chairman was appointed in order to give recognition to the autonomy of Wales? Is not the effect of this abolition to place the Welsh nation under the jurisdiction of the English Commissioners?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir, that cannot be the case. If the hon. Member will refer to the provisions of the Act of 1919, he 33 will see that no provision was made for the appointment of a Chairman, and obviously each case must be dealt with on its merits. This Board has only met, on an average, three times every year, and consequently the hon. Member will see that there was some necessity for exercising a little economy in this matter.
§ Mr. MORRISIs not the chief economy the good government of the country with the consent of the country; and how can the right hon. Gentleman expect a Board to work effectively unless it has a proper head?
§ Sir K. WOODI think the hon. Member can rely upon the three Welshmen who are now members of the Board.
§ Mr. MORRISWhat reason can there be for making this change? If it was found necessary to have a Chairman before, why is it not necessary now to continue having a Chairman?
§ Sir K. WOODAs I have already explained, the Board rarely meets, and it was necessary to effect a considerable saving. The Minister of Health believes that the duties of the office will be carried on efficiently, and at the same time a considerable sum of money will be saved.