§ 21. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the recommendation of the Scottish 187 Health Services Council in favour of dissolving the Standing Advisory Committee on Health Centres; and if a decision has yet been made.
§ Mr. J. StuartI have decided not to amend the Statutory Order constituting Standing Advisory Committees at the present time.
§ Mr. HannanCan the right hon. Gentleman reply to the specific point which I make about the recommendation about health centres? Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that he has not accepted the recommendation?
§ Mr. StuartMy reason is that they may be of value to us later, but at present I agree that they are in what one might call a state of suspended animation. I will keep the matter under review. We may desire to use their services later.
§ Mr. HannanDoes not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that it was accepted on both sides of the House that the establishment of health centres would be an integral part of the Health Service? Will he resist strenuously the suggestion made by the Medical Council on this matter and follow the good example set by Edinburgh only two or three weeks ago?
§ Mr. StuartI have said that I am not taking action at present because I feel that these bodies may be of use to us in the future.