HC Deb 21 April 1958 vol 586 cc612-3
43. Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the widespread concern in the city of Manchester arising from his failure to reappoint Alderman R. E. Thomas, J.P., to serve on the Manchester Regional Hospital Board; and whether he will state the reasons which led him to make this decision.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)

I am aware that there has been some local comment on this change. Its object was to widen the opportunity of service on the Board both in respect of persons and areas.

Mr. W. Griffiths

Is the Minister aware that the sacking of this widely respected and highly experienced Health Service administrator is regarded as a piece of political spite?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I strongly dissent both from the term "sacking", quite wrongly used by the hon. Member, and from his innuendo about politics. The fact is that members of these boards are appointed under the Statute for a three-year term and are eligible for re-appointment. There is thus an annual opportunity for considering the composition of the board and balancing the desirability of continuity against the desirability of introducing fresh blood. Alderman Thomas had served since 1950, and there is certainly no reflection at all on him in this decision.

Mr. W. Griffiths

Will the Minister bear in mind that Alderman Thomas is a man of comparative youth and that his non-appointment, if the Minister prefers that term, was greeted with incredulity by all his colleagues on the Board? Has the Minister any idea of the politics of Alderman Thomas' successor?

Mr. Walker-Smith

Politics are not a matter taken into account in this context. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Certainly not. Surely not even the hon. Gentleman could suggest that the politics of the party to which he belongs are underrepresented on this board. He well knows that both the Labour Party and the trade unions are strongly represented. [Interruption.] I am asked how I know. It is because I have some knowledge of the way in which the minds of right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite work, and I looked into the matter.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Since the Minister has already told us that politics do not enter into it, how does he know all these facts about politics?

Mr. Walker-Smith

Since it seems to have escaped the right hon. Gentleman, the reason was that I knew the way in which his mind and the minds of his hon. Friends work and I looked into the matter.

Mr. W. Griffiths

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise the matter again.