HC Deb 04 May 1950 vol 474 cc1881-2
22. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Health why hospital accounts are not published; and if he will consider doing so in future.

Mr. Bevan

As required by the National Health Service Act, summary hospital accounts will be presented to Parliament annually and the first such account will be available shortly.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it would be better for all hospitals to publish their own accounts, which would lead to greater efficiency and greater understanding among the staffs?

Mr. Bevan

If hospitals were to publish their accounts to the public before they are published for the benefit of the House of Commons. it would be a breach of privilege.

Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

Would my right hon. Friend consider making arrange- ments so that the fullest financial information is available to hospital management committees, because they cannot carry out their job unless they have fullest access to financial details?

Mr. Bevan

I should be astonished to learn that hospital management committees did not know of their own accounts. The Question on the Order Paper is entirely different; it is whether the public are to have access to the accounts before they are presented to Parliament.

Sir Ralph Glyn

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his Department are issuing model rules as to the form which hospital accounts should take?

Mr. Bevan

In the last few weeks I have addressed conferences of chairmen of boards of governors of teaching hospitals, regional hospital boards and hospital management committees at which I have reported that we are now issuing standard accounts.

Mr. R. S. Hudson

When the accounts have been published for the benefit of Parliament, will the accounts of local hospitals be available locally?

Mr. Bevan

I will look into it, but I see no special reason why they should not be, because I am hoping to encourage local hospitals to hold annual open meetings, at which they can discuss their affairs.