12. Lieut.-Commander R. H. Thompsonasked the Minister of Health how many persons have resigned from, or for other reasons ceased to serve on, hospital group management committees and on hospital house committees respectively, in the United Kingdom during the year 1950.
§ Mr. MarquandSeven hundred and fifty-one members of hospital management committees in England and Wales. The number for house committees is not available. Comparable figures in Scotland are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.
Lieut.-Commander ThompsonDoes the Minister consider that this ratio of loss of committee members is excessive in the circumstances?
§ Mr. MarquandNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDo these figures include the members of group management committees removed by the Southwest Metropolitan Regional Board in its attempt to assert its will on its subordinate management committees?
§ Mr. MarquandThe regional boards appoint those committees.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThat means "yes."
13. Lieut.-Commander Thompsonasked the Minister of Health what is the number of persons serving on hospital group management committees and on hospital house committees in the United Kingdom at the last convenient date.
§ Mr. MarquandThe number of seats on hospital management committees in England and Wales filled on 31st March, 1951, was 6,370. The actual number of serving members was somewhat less, as many were members of more than one committee. The figures for house committees are not available. Comparable figures for Scotland are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. SutcliffeIn view of these figures, is not the number of resignations very high?
§ Mr. MarquandThe members are appointed normally for three years; 751 out of 6,370 is not a high number.
Dr. HillDoes the figure for the resignations include those whose period of office came automatically to an end after three years?
§ Mr. MarquandThe previous Question that I was asked was how many resigned from, or for other reasons ceased to serve on, hospital group management committees and hospital house committees.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanCould my right hon. Friend find some means of persuading hon. Members opposite that in spite of recent evidence to the House to the contrary, resignations are not always justified?
§ Mr. MarquandThere is no intention—and it is not desirable—of perpetuating membership for ever among the same people. There must be some changes from time to time.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ElliotCould the Minister perhaps enjoin that view on his hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman). His resignation would be a great help.
15. Lieut.-Commander Thompsonasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the summary removal of Mr. Melbourne Davis from the Croydon Hospital Management Committee, and from the acting-chairmanship of the Mayday Hospital House Committee.
§ Mr. MarquandThere was no summary removal. The member served his full term of office.
Lieut.-Commander ThompsonIs the Minister aware that such is not the impression? Is he further aware that this gentleman, after 30 years devoted service to hospitals, ought not to be removed in this summary manner, in view of the great public disquiet which has been aroused about the method and manner of his removal?
§ Mr. MarquandIf a wrong impression prevails, I hope that the hon. and gallant Member will do his best to correct it.