§ 42. Sir Hugh Lucas-Toothasked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the proposal of the regional hospital board that the London Lock Hospital should cease to be used as a hospital for the treatment of venereal diseases; and whether such action has received his approval or sanction.
§ Mr. BevanThis proposal has not been before me officially, because the regional hospital board's delegated powers for the planning and development of hospital services in their area do not require them to obtain my approval before they make changes in the use of particular hospitals.
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothWill the right hon. Gentleman take special action to see that this proposal is not carried through, in view of the opposition of consultants and specialists and venereologists?
§ Mr. BevanIf representations are made to me that a particular hospital ought not to be diverted from or to a particular purpose, I will take such representations into account.
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothHas the Minister not received them?
§ Dr. Stephen TaylorIs not my right hon. Friend aware that the regional hospital board gave the most careful and sympathetic consideration to the case of the Lock Hospital, and that it was only after this matter had been discussed very carefully for a very long time that they reached this decision?
§ Mr. BevanI think it is obviously desirable that the regional boards should not be interfered with too much in their detailed plans by the central authority.