HC Deb 24 June 1969 vol 785 cc1209-10
Q2. Mr. Whitaker

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now take steps to extend the Parliamentary Commissioner's powers to decisions of local authorities, in view of the official proposal to do so in Northern Ireland.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

Now that the report of the Royal Commission on Local Government in England is available the Government are studying the position in the light of its findings.

Mr. Whitaker

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it would be a terrible thing to say of anyone, especially of a Labour Government, that they had been overtaken on the left by the Northern Ireland Government? In view of the fact that so many of the cases sent to the Parliamentary Commissioner are outside his remit, will my right hon. Friend extend his responsibilities not only to local authorities but to the nationalised industries, the police and the National Health Service?

The Prime Minister

When I had this matter put to me before, I said that English local government is different from Northern Ireland local government. We are studying the subject urgently, and I hope to make a statement in the very near future. The progress we are making on this question in relation to local authorities is encouraging.

Captain Orr

I take it that the Prime Minister means that he will ensure that any democratic practices in England, Scotland and Wales will not be allowed to fall below the standards of the rest of the United Kingdom?

The Prime Minister

We pressed the Ombudsman proposal on the Northern Ireland Government, and I am glad of their response. We have been studying for some time—indeed, we began before the discussion with Northern Ireland—the question of whether there should be an Ombudsman for local government, and, as I have said, I hope to be able to make a statement before too long.

Mr. Heath

Have the Government reached any conclusion about special inspection of the National Health Service, promised by the Secretary of State for Social Services?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I hope to make a statement before the Summer Recess on this matter, which is being looked at in connection with other matters concerned with the National Health Service. As my right hon. Friend indicated, it would probably be right, instead of giving responsibility to the Parliamentary Commissioner, to have a specialist Ombudsman for the National Health Service.