DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY

HC Deb 22 October 1968 vol 770 cc1085-6

Q4. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to merge the Ministries of Health and Social Security; and what will be the precise functions of the new Department.

The Prime Minister

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 16th October.—[Vol. 770, c. 380–1.]

Mr. Price

Is the Prime Minister aware that many of my hon. Friends feel that within that reorganisation should have been the child care responsibilities of the Home Office? Is it not absurd to expect a Secretary of State for the Social Services to implement the Seebohm Report if he does not have responsibility for the children's department of local authorities, which constitute quite the largest and most highly-trained sector of social workers in these areas?

The Prime Minister

That is a very arguable and, indeed, controversial proposition, but my right hon. Friend has responsibility going beyond his newly merged Departments for seeing what is necessary to implement fully the Seebohm Report and, in due course, the implications for the social services of the Royal Commission on Local Government. If this leads to further transfers I shall have no hesitation in making them, but it is too early at this stage to say that this is required.

Mr. Fortescue

Will the merger mean that more attention will be paid to amenities provided by local offices of the present Ministry of Social Security for members of the public visiting there? These amenities compare very badly with those provided at hospitals and health centres.

The Prime Minister

Naturally that will be one of the duties of the new merged department, within, of course, the overall limitations on expenditure to which the Government must have very close regard.

Mr. Pavitt

Can my right hon. Friend say if in the appointment of Ministers of State one will have special responsibilities for health and another for social security? If so, which is which?

The Prime Minister

That is not to be the position. It is too early to say what division there will be, but I know that my right hon. Friend, in his responsibility for merging the Departments, is not concerned with a simple amalgamation of two Departments, and it will be his duty to recommend how the work should be divided. I think that to some extent it will be on the basis of one or other Minister of State taking responsibilities from both halves of the merged Departments.