HC Deb 01 May 1967 vol 746 cc74-5
24. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the representations by the medical profession against the building of a new general hospital at Newcastle-upon-Tyne instead of expanding the present hospitals; whether he is aware that the regional hospital board has refused to receive a deputation; and if he will instruct the regional hospital board to receive a deputation to discuss the matter.

Mr. K. Robinson

These representations have been fully considered both by the regional hospital board and my Department. With regard to the second part of the Question, I understand that no such request has been made to the regional board.

Dame Irene Ward

Without taking sides on one side or the other, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that there seems to be a tendency in his Department to accept rather dictatorial powers, which are adversely commented on by the Press, and will he in future see that, when deputations are requested, from whatever source—provided that they are from suitable people—they Will be accepted?

Mr. Robinson

I could not give the blanket undertaking for which the hon. Lady asks, and neither could I accept her accusation of dictatorial behaviour on the part of my Department. I can tell her, however, that, in this matter, if the consultant staff request a meeting with the regional hospital board, I have every reason to believe that their request will be granted. I should add that hospital consultant staff have been continuously involved in the formulation of the plan for Newcastle since planning first began in 1955.

Mr. Bob Brown

Will my right hon. Friend accept that neither his Department nor the regional hospital board has come very well out of the unseemly Press "run-up" which there has been on this issue? Would it not be a good thing to advise regional hospital boards to concentrate on better public relations work?

Mr. Robinson

It is true that, in the present discussion or argument in Newcastle, the strong case of the regional hospital board has been insufficiently publicised. I hope that it is now in process of putting this right.