§ 28. Mr. Oliverasked the Minister of Health, having regard to the decision of the Derbyshire County Council not to delegate any of the duties under Part III of the National Health Service Act to the Borough of Ilkeston, how many county councils have disregarded his advice in adopting this course; and whether he will effectively intervene in cases where the health services are permitted to fall below the present standard of efficiency.
§ Mr. BevanOf 62 county councils in England and Wales, 27 have not decentralised the administration of their health services, but this figure includes some counties in which decentralisation would be inappropriate. I should certainly intervene wherever services of a proper standard were not being provided.
§ Mr. OliverCould my right hon. Friend be induced to ask the county councils exercising their discretion not to delegate their powers under Part III to state their reasons for their action to the smaller authorities whose health service they intend to supersede, particularly when the service is being run efficiently?
§ Mr. BevanThe local authorities are acting within their powers and I have no statutory power to interfere. I can only intervene if the standards of the service are not high enough.