HC Deb 01 July 1948 vol 452 cc2356-8
36. Mr. Walker-Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that as a result of the decision of the North West Metropolitan Hospital Board eight men of ages between 62 and 85 who have spent from 10 to 20 years at the Wellhouse Hospital, Barnet, are to be compulsorily transferred to another institution some 20 miles off; and whether he will take steps to prevent this hardship.

Mr. Bevan

I am advised that these are not hospital patients, and that the County Council have accordingly arranged to transfer them to the nearest suitable institution.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Does not the Minister appreciate that this is a non-recurrent problem, because it is not intended in any case to replace these eight old men, and would he not intervene in this matter to see that the consideration of humanity prevails over this signal illustration of bumbledom in Barnet?

Mr. Bevan

I do not agree that the local authority have not exercised humanity in this matter, and hon. Members ought not to make statements of that kind about responsible elected authorities. The impression itself is misjudged.

Mr. Walker-Smith

When the Minister refers to "responsible elected authorities" does not he appreciate the great difficulty in which those constituents of Barnet are placed when they apply for redress to their Member of Parliament and find that he himself is a member of the board against whose decision they are invoking his assistance?

Mr. Bevan

That is precisely where the hon. Gentleman is entirely at fault in his Question. This is not the responsibility of the Regional Hospital Board but the responsibility of the local authority, and the hon. Member should inform himself of the facts before making wild statements.

Mr. Walker-Smith

On a point of Order. In anticipation of that unhelpful reply I have already started balloting so that I can raise this matter on the Adjournment, and I will do so at the earliest opportunity, if I am able.

Dr. Stephen Taylor

rose

Mr. Speaker

As notice to raise the matter on the Adjournment has been given no further questions can be asked.

Dr. Taylor

On a point of Order—

Hon. Members

Order.

Mr. Speaker

This is a point of Order and I must hear it.

Dr. Taylor

Is it not usual for an hon. Member before he gives notice to raise a matter on the Adjournment to allow an hon. Member about whose constituency a Question has been asked to put a supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker

I imagined the matter was in the constituency of the hon. Member for Hertford (Mr. Walker-Smith).

Dr. Taylor

It is in my constituency.

Mr. Speaker

I am sorry, but notice of the Adjournment has been given and the rule is as I have said. I am very sorry.

Mr. Gallacher

Further to that point of Order. Is it not the case that the Question by the hon. Member for Hertford was quite out of Order in view of the fact that he had already decided to raise the matter on the Adjournment?

Mr. Speaker

I think we must go on.

Mr. Messer

May I ask, Sir, if you have not already ruled that an hon. Member must be responsible for the accuracy of statements contained in his Question and, if that is the case, may I ask whether it has been brought to your notice that the Regional Board has no power whatever in this matter until 5th July?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Hertford is responsible for his statement. Whether it is an accurate statement or a misstatement, I cannot tell; he is responsible.

Mr. Gallacher

Further to that point of Order. I would like your Ruling, Sir, whether, if an hon. Member shows he is going to raise the Question on the Adjournment by signing the book before he comes into the Chamber, is he entitled to ask supplementary questions?

Mr. Speaker

I imagine the hon. Member for Hertford is taking steps to raise the matter on the Adjournment. Whether he has put his name in the book, I do not know. I have no knowledge of that. He may have put his name in the book in order to raise some other subject for all I know.