HC Deb 28 June 1951 vol 489 cc1552-3
8. Mr. Peter Thorneycroft

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of five year old Eileen Cunliffe of Bradford.

Mr. Marquand

There has been a special committee of inquiry on this case and their report has been before the hospital management committee. It is right that the whole matter should now go before the regional hospital board, at their meeting in the middle of next month, and while I am anxious to make as early a statement as possible about this unhappy case I think I should wait till after that meeting.

Mr. Thorneycroft

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the very grave concern caused by this case, in which this grievously injured child was taken from hospital to hospital and not admitted? Would he press on with this matter? Surely he would agree that the inability of the National Health Service to accept really urgent cases would be a very serious matter.

Mr. Marquand

Yes, Sir. The concern of all involved was brought to my attention at once by the hon. Member for the constituency in which the child lived. There was no avoidable delay in making inquiries. I was unable to carry out the preliminary inquiry until certain material witnesses had been found. They were away on holiday, and as soon as they came back we got on with the inquiry.

Mr. Frank McLeavy

As the Parliamentary representative for the constituency in which this child lived, and as I put down a Question immediately after this occurrence and agreed to defer it until 26th July, in order to allow the regional hospital board to report fully to the Ministry, will my right hon. Friend be able to give a full answer on 26th July?

Mr. Marquand

The board will meet on 12th July. I should certainly be able to make a statement by the 26th.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this child was taken to three hospitals, all of which had accommodation and could have admitted the child, but was turned away? Will he ensure that until the regional hospital board meet there will be no chance of a recurrence of an incident of this kind?

Mr. Marquand

I am aware of those facts, and I regard them very seriously.