HC Deb 23 April 1956 vol 551 cc1442-3
37. Mr. Royle

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases in England and Wales are members of the medical profession chairmen of local health executive councils.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

Twenty-seven at 31st March, 1956.

Mr. Royle

Does not the hon. Member regard the appointment of doctors as chairmen of executive councils as a rather undesirable practice? When all is said and done, no education committee would appoint a teacher to the chairmanship. Will not the Minister make representations to executive councils along these lines?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I think the hon. Member misses the point. There are thirteen lay and twelve professional members on such a committee and they elect their own chairman. If in special circumstances they believe that one of their number who happens to be a doctor, or for that matter a dentist, is outstanding for the chairmanship, they are free to elect him.

Mr. Royle

Does that reply alter the principle?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I know the case which the hon. Member has in mind, but I think that the answer in many cases is that if lay members attended as regularly as some professional members, they would be in a better position to vote for someone else.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does not the hon. Lady appreciate that there is a point of substance here at which she might well look again? At the outset of the scheme the Minister appointed the chairmen. That was then changed. I think it is highly desirable that executive committees should consider whether they should not appoint a lay person in many cases, unless there are exceptional reasons for the contrary.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The vast majority, of course, are lay chairmen.

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