HC Deb 07 December 1954 vol 535 cc783-4
60. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Labour why it is not proposed to include any representatives of local health authorities, medical officers of health, or sanitary inspectors on his Advisory Committee on Industrial Health Services.

Mr. Watkinson

My right hon. and learned Friend has received requests for membership of the Industrial Health Advisory Committee from a number of bodies who are interested in various aspects of industrial health. He is very appreciative of these offers of assistance which are now under consideration, but would prefer not to prejudge the outcome of this consideration. It is hoped that in any case it may be possible to make use of many of these offers of help in respect of specific problems or in particular areas.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is the Minister aware that that answer is quite unsatisfactory? Here we have a situation where local authorities have no representation at all upon this quite important advisory committee. As local authorities, sanitary inspectors and medical officers of health have already held responsibilities in this field, is not it absolutely vital that they should have some representation?

Mr. Watkinson

On the contrary, it is very satisfactory, because my right hon. and learned Friend is carefully considering all the applications which come to us. We must also consider the question of keeping this committee of such a size that it can operate efficiently.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is it not possible to say now that these people should at least have some representatives upon this committee? Why is there any doubt about it?

Mr. Watkinson

The difficulty is that if we were to make this committee fully representative of all local authorities we should have to quadruple its size. We are most carefully considering the representations which have been made, and I am not yet in a position to announce the decision to which my right hon. and learned Friend may come.

Mr. Marquand

Has the Minister of Labour consulted the Minister of Health during this period of consideration?

Mr. Watkinson

My right hon. and learned Friend has consulted the Minister of Health all through the formation of this committee, and he will continue to do so.