§ 4. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if arrangements have now been completed for setting up a work study organisation in the hospital service.
§ Mr. GalbraithThe initial arrangements for setting up a work study organisation in the Scottish hospital service are almost complete and the regional hospital boards are now making appointments to eleven new posts. The work study group in my right hon. Friend's Department is already functioning.
§ Mr. HannanWill the Minister bear in mind that, while many of us have no objection in principle to work study for the purpose of making the service more efficient, many of us would oppose it strenuously if such schemes were used for instituting a campaign of economy, in view of the Guillebaud Committee's Report to the effect that there was no waste or extravagance?
§ Mr. GalbraithThe object of this work study is to do the job in a better way than it is being done at present. I personally think it is an extremely valuable kind of investigation to carry out.
§ Mr. HannanCan the Under-Secretary say how much the institution of these proposals will cost and whether they also will be made available to hon. Members?
§ Mr. GalbraithI would like to have notice of that supplementary question.
§ Mr. HannanSurely that is quite a simple question. Are we not entitled to further information about the institution of such an important form of supervision over the health service scheme? Surely to ask that such a report should be made available to hon. Members is quite a simple request to make.
§ Mr. GalbraithThe hon. Gentleman asked about the cost. I said that I should be glad if he would put down a Question on the Notice Paper.