HC Deb 22 April 1929 vol 227 cc618-9
39 and 40. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether the three women members of the staff dismissed by the board of the Lock Hospital two years ago were exonerated by the committee of inquiry; and, if so, what restitution it is proposed to offer them for the action taken;

(2) whether he is now in a position to announce the reforms undertaken by the board of the Lock Hospital; whether these will include a change in the personnel of the board and in the secretarial staff?

Sir K. WOOD

For the reasons fully explained in reply to questions by the hon. Member on the 14th and 21st March, my right hon. Friend does not as at present advised propose to publish the Report of the committee, and in these circumstances he is reluctant to discuss any particular views which they may have expressed, and any action taken thereon by the board of the hospital, until the board have had a reasonable opportunity of dealing with the recommendations of the committee as a whole.

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

Do not the right hon. Gentleman and the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Health realise the very great prejudice to the people concerned, who have been dismissed and are given no opportunity of ever knowing whether they are exonerated or otherwise? With regard to the answer to the second question, do not the right hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friend realise that the people who are asked to decide on these reforms are the very people who have been reported upon, and is it not time that an entirely different attitude was taken up towards this matter?

Sir K. WOOD

As the hon. Member knows very well, this is a very difficult matter, a very difficult situation. My right hon. Friend really desires to do the best he can in the interests of the hospital and has given an undertaking to the House that he will very carefully watch the proceedings which the board of the hospital are taking. He is keeping in constant touch to see that the recommendations contained in this report are being properly carried out. I hope the hon. Member will not press me to discuss individual cases. I think he may rest assured that my right hon. Friend is doing all he can in the interests of the hospital.

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

In view of the very unsatisfactory answer which has been given to-day and the unsatisfactory answers given before, I must give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at an early date.