§ 18. Mr. Charles Morrisasked the Minister of Health whether he will initiate legislation to amend Part II of the Third Schedule to the National Health Service Act, 1946, in order to make it obligatory for regional hospital boards to provide an individual, whom it fails to reappoint to a hospital management committee, with an explanation of their action.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MorrisIs my right hon. Friend aware that what is little more than a conspiracy of silence in regard to this matter can give rise to innuendo and gossip which can be quite harmful to the individual concerned? Is he further aware that, referring to the case which gave rise to this Question, Alderman Miss Lily Thomas, of the Manchester City Council, was removed from the North Manchester Hospital Management Committee in the most perfunctory manner? Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the way that this particular piece of legislation is working in so far as it affects individual members of a hospital management committee?
§ Mr. RobinsonI am sure that the present practice is right. I made it clear that I do not give reasons for any appointments that I make. Equally, I think that it would be sensible not to give reasons for not reappointing somebody. On the whole, I would think that regional hospital boards were well advised to follow that advice. If they were to do otherwise, they could confine themselves only to a stereotyped and meaningless formula of explanation.