HC Deb 12 June 1952 vol 502 cc381-2
18. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health if the detailed investigation has yet been completed in respect of the proposal of the South-West Metropolitan Regional Board to spend 21s. a week on feeding each patient and a maximum of 14s. a week on each mental patient, and with what result.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Iain Macleod)

Progress has been made in the collection of the necessary information, but the assessment of results will take some time yet.

Mr. Dodds

Does the Minister not appreciate that the proposal was made in February and that his predecessor said during the first week in March that he was looking into it? How long is it to take? Is he not aware that the catering officer said that 21s. would not allow them to supply anything more substantial than fish cakes? In view of the increased cost of living can the Minister say when a decision is to be made? These people may be mentally sick, but there is nothing wrong with their appetites.

Mr. Macleod

As I am sure the hon. Member knows, comparative costing, which has been a very neglected part of the Health Service, takes a very long time to be efficient. The preliminary information will be available within a few days, but the assessment does take some time.

In reply to the second part of the Question, hospital management committees have been informed by the Board that in certain circumstances if they happen to exceed their estimates this will be allowed.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does the Minister not agree that it is wrong for regional boards to attempt to impose maximum costs of this kind, which should be left to the decision of the hospital management committees who know the position of the local hospitals much more intimately?

Mr. Macleod

This is not by any means wholly a measure of economy. Where it is found that a hospital's feeding is below standard the board is taking steps to raise it