HC Deb 19 July 1965 vol 716 cc1093-4
15. Mr. Fell

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the standards of health and welfare service administered by the Great Yarmouth local authority are comparable to those administered by the local authorities responsible for other county boroughs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Loughlin

There are so many differences in the problems which confront different local authorities, and so many different aspects of the health and welfare services, that I do not consider it profitable to attempt general comparisons of this sort.

Mr. Fell

I was just preparing myself to thank the Minister for giving me a kind answer. After that, of course, it is impossible. Would he at least say, in the most general terms, that as far as his Department is concerned, and as far as his Department knows, these services run by the local authority are reasonably satisfactory?

Mr. Loughlin

As far as we know, they are reasonably satisfactory.

Mr. Wood

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what are his plans, and by what methods he hopes to raise the standards of the less good authorities up to the standards of the best?

Mr. Loughlin

The only way we can do that, and it is the way we are doing it, is by asking them to revise their programme. When the replies come in we shall ascertain, as far as we possibly can, whether they are going to be comparable or not.