§ 5. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has now given to the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board to other regional hospital boards and to hospital management committees about the publicity that should be given to their meetings and the contacts between members of these bodies and the Press.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Mr. David Ennals)My right hon. Friend has recently discussed with the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board and more recently with regional hospital board chairmen measures to improve communications with the public and Press generally. He has in particular indicated to them the criteria to be observed in appointing information officers to act as regional boards' main point of contact with Press, television and radio and to develop communications in their regions.
§ Mrs. ShortAgain I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for this sign that there is progress on this side of public relations in the hospital service. Will he clarify the point about the rights of members 895 of regional hospital boards to approach members of the Press where they feel that it is in the public interest to do so?
§ Mr. EnnalsIn reply to the first part of that supplementary question, my right hon. Friend is, of course, very anxious that there should be a free flow of information. This is why he has taken the steps he has taken, and Birmingham is looking around for an experienced officer to develop positive relations with the Press and other media. On the second part of the question members of boards and committees, in the view of my right hon. Friend, should observe the rules normally followed by local authorities in regard to disclosure of matters still under discussion.