26. Mr. B. Harrisonasked the Minister of Health what are the instructions which have been sent from his Department about members of hospital management committees and employees approaching their local Members of Parliament.
§ Mr. PowellNone, Sir.
Mr. HarrisonWill the Minister instruct the regional hospital boards not to try to gag their hospital management committees and employees and to prevent them from getting in touch with their Members of Parliament when the recognised channels have been fully used?
§ Mr. PowellI am sure that members of hospital authorities and employees of hospital authorities will follow the proper 556 standards of behaviour of members of corporate bodies and employees.
§ Mr. ShinwellThis is a matter of extreme importance affecting hon. Members. Will the right hon. Gentleman make an inquiry to ascertain whether this practice is in operation?
§ Mr. PowellI am not quite sure which practice the right hon. Gentleman means.
§ Mr. ShinwellI refer to the suggestion in the Question that hospital board employees have been instructed not to approach Members of Parliament.
§ Mr. PowellI have sent no such instruction.
§ Mr. MellishIs the Minister aware that at any rate in my group all is well, because I happen to be chairman of the committee?