HC Deb 11 July 1955 vol 543 cc1566-7
40. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Health why the South-Western Regional Hospital Board has decided not to reappoint any of the five co-opted members of its Mental Health Committee.

Mr. Iain Macleod

This matter is wholly within the board's discretion.

Mr. Collins

Will not the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter, having regard to the fact that all these five people were appointed to the committee because of their exceptional experience and keenness with regard to mental health work? Will he satisfy himself that they have not been sacked because of their protest about the depreciating amenities for patients, and, particularly, the constant bread-and-dripping diet about which the board of control's inspector complained?

Mr. Macleod

There is no truth in that. These five members were recommended for co-option for the year 1954–55 by the mental health committee when the hon. Gentleman himself was the chairman. His recommendations were accepted, and the Minister did not comment on them. There is now a new chairman who has made different recommendations and his recommendations have been exactly represented on the Board. The Minister has no intention of commenting on them either.

Mr. Collins

It is rather different on this occasion because not one of the members has been reappointed. This is a very small committee and these are people of very exceptional experience. It is not a question of one or the other, but of all of them.

Mr. Macleod

As a matter of fact, a member has been co-opted, although not one of the five previously there. One must leave the boards to run these matters within their own regulations, and it is for them to decide whether, and if so how many, non-members shall be put on the committees.