§ 20. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to say whether he proposes to publish the report of the committee appointed to inquire into the London Lock Hospital?
§ 21. Mr. ARTHUR GREENWOODasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the appeals that are being made on behalf of the London Lock Hospital and the public anxiety concerning it, he will, for the guidance of the public, publish the report of the committee of inquiry he appointed early last year?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am glad to have this opportunity of explaining to the House that I have brought the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry to the notice of the board of the hospital, and have received an assurance, which I accept, that they have already applied themselves to the task of carrying the greater part of the recommendations into practical effect. This task must involve a comprehensive review of the constitution and management of the hospital. A considerable time will, therefore, be required to complete it; and I do not think it would be in the public interest to publish details of arrangements at the hospital which are already under revision by the responsible governing body, if and so long as I remain satisfied that the extent of the changes made, and the rate of progress in making them, are reasonable.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEWill the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that this inquiry was made owing to the very serious allegations that were made against the board, and that the subscribing public are entitled to know whether the board are exonerated by the Report, and, if they are not exonerated by the Report, whether the charges that are being substantiated against the Board are being met by the alterations that are proposed to be made?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think it is obvious from my answer that the Report of the Committee showed that very considerable changes in the management of the hospital were desirable. As I have stated, I have now received an assurance 1258 from the chairman of the board that they are addressing themselves to making the alterations which will be necessary if the recommendations of the Committee are to be carried out. Of course, I shall want to be satisfied that these changes are being carried out, and that they are being carried out with sufficient speed.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEWill the right hon. Gentleman further take into account the fact that this matter has been going on for some nine years, that criticisms have been made that the Board have been hinting that they would make changes, and that, unless there is real evidence of very drastic changes, the subscribing public cannot be expected to have any further confidence in the management?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, the subscribing public will want to be assured that there are going to be drastic changes. I have an assurance that those drastic changes are being made.