§ 52. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in establishing the selective recruitment and training scheme for hospital administrators; what proposals he has for extending the scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PowellThe scheme provides at present for the recruitment of sixteen persons a year for three years theoretical and practical training. If there are enough suitable candidates, the figure will be increased to twenty-four for 1961. I shall shortly be discussing the experimental introduction of a regional scheme With representatives of hospital authorities.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs the Minister aware that I am very glad to know that this scheme is being extended, although the extension appears to be fairly modest? Is he aware that sixteen is not nearly enough to make good the natural wastage of senior administrative staff in the 857 Health Service? Will he see that this scheme has enthusiastic support from his Department?
§ Mr. PowellAt present the limitation, as I said, is availability of candidates, but I am most grateful to the two bodies which are doing this work, and they have my enthusiastic support.
§ Sir G. NicholsonWhen my right hon. Friend says that the limitation is availability of candidates, does he mean the deduction to be drawn that the right type of person is not going into hospital administrative work? Will he agree that unless the best type of administrator is attracted it will be disastrous?
§ Mr. PowellI agree very much with what my hon. Friend has said, but this scheme is in its very early stages and the flow of suitable candidates is bound to increase only gradually.