HC Deb 30 March 1939 vol 345 c2244

3.56 p.m.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Colville)

I beg to move, in page 4, line 16, to leave out "six," and to insert "seven."

The object of the Amendment is to increase the number of members of the General Board of Control from six to seven, in addition to the Chairman. We had some discussion on this subject in the Committee, and there was a general feeling that it would add to the usefulness of the board if there were one or two more lay members. I find myself unable to accept the proposal that there should be two additional lay members, but by this Amendment I propose to enlarge the board so as to include one other lay member. The Clause provides for at least two medical commissioners. It is not intended, by this Amendment at all events, to appoint more than two. If the Amendment is adopted, the intention is that the board shall consist of the chairman, who will be an assistant-secretary to the Department of Health; two medical commissioners; one legal commissioner, who will probably be part-time, one representative of the Scottish Education Department and three laymen.

Amendment agreed to.