HC Deb 03 June 1957 vol 571 cc885-6
38. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to maintain and make public a fuller statistical return of the work of the National Health Service.

Mr. Vosper

The Statistical Branch of my Department has been increased and is carrying out an extensive review and re-organisation of records and returns with a view to providing a speedier and fuller service.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Whilst welcoming that statement from the Minister, may I ask if it would not be helpful if at some appropriate time he were to lay a White Paper or by other means inform the House of what future use he hopes to make of this statistical information available to him?

Mr. Vosper

I do not know about publishing a White Paper, but I will consider making some information available. At the moment, the statistical branch has mainly been concerned with internal work, and I have nothing much to put before the House at this stage.

Dr. Stross

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind how very useful it would be, not only to us but to the rest of the world, if we were to have figures available, industry by industry, of a certain number of breakdowns in health?

Mr. Vosper

I will note that suggestion.