§ 44. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the proposal of the British Medical Association that a public inquiry be held in connection with the dispute as to the future use of the Kingston Victoria Hospital; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. BevanThe future of this hospital has been very fully and carefully reviewed, both by the regional board and by my own Department, as well as having been the subject of a debate in this House. I certainly do not think that the proposed inquiry would either be appropriate or would add to our knowledge, and I see no reason to intervene.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the major reasons why local opinion feels that injustice has been done is that no opportunity has yet been given for local opinion to express itself directly to those responsible? Would not a solution such as that suggested by the British Medical Association give an opportunity, so far denied, for local opinion to express itself?
§ Mr. BevanI do not believe that there exists in Great Britain any better court of inquiry than the House of Commons itself, especially on a matter of this kind. If the hon. Gentleman thinks that the matter has not been adequately ventilated he can seek further opportunities.
§ Mr. HastingsWould not my right hon. Friend agree that the opinion of experts in hospital management is much more important than local opinion?
§ Mr. BevanYes, of course. This is the view which has been taken by the management committee and the hospital regional board, who have had all the facts before them, and, as I have said, the House of Commons as well. If the matter is not yet sufficiently ventilated I shall be most happy to recount the facts again.
§ Colonel Stoddart-ScottIs it not true that the Minister of Health, throughout the whole of the passage of the National Health Service Bill, advocated again and again the establishment of general practitioner hospitals, similar to this one at Kingston-upon-Thames, and that ever since the Act was passed he has closed one general practitioner hospital after another?
§ Mr. BevanThe statement of the hon. and gallant Gentleman is as prejudiced and as inaccurate as most of his statements.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterFollowing the twice-given invitation of the Minister, I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity to raise the matter again.