HC Deb 21 July 1958 vol 592 cc7-8
17. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has had from professional and other bodies regarding the composition of the working party on medical staffing of hospitals.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I have had representations from the Medical Practitioners Union, the Royal Medico-Psychological Association and the National Council of Women.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman going to pay some attention to the representations which have been made in view of the very real anxiety among the general number of consultants and specialists, who, after all, do their work in general hospitals, that they have no representation at all on this committee, which no doubt consists of eminent men but entirely from teaching hospitals?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The representations which I have received all deal with rather different points, and point to the omission of desirable membership as they see it. If effect were to be given to all these suggestions, we should certainly be in danger of having a large and unwieldy committee. The committee is able to get information from any source from which it wants it, and has the expertise to deal with it.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman not realise that it is essential to carry the medical profession with him in any recommendation which this body may make? How can he expect that when it is representative purely of one narrow section of the profession?

Mr. Walker-Smith

This working party is a joint working party. Half the membership is appointed by my right hon. Friend and myself; the other half is appointed by the Joint Consultants' Committee. It is a matter for them, and I cannot go behind the professional membership which they have put forward.