HC Deb 19 May 1969 vol 784 cc27-8
34. Mr. Will Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his discussions about the reorganisation of the National Health Service are yet complete; and if he will now make a statement.

Mr. Crossman

Not yet, Sir.

Mr. Griffiths

Can my right hon. Friend say whether his consultations will be completed before the introduction of the Report of the Royal Commission on the reform of local government?

Mr. Crossman

No, I would not expect them to be completed before. I hope that they will have got so far that I shall be able to urge on my colleagues that very soon after the Report of the Royal Commission there will be a statement on the future of the Health Service

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

Can the Minister say whether he intends to pay a little more attention in the second version of the Green Paper than he did in the first to the position of the voluntary services, particularly those helping in hospitals, mental hospitals and long-stav care hospitals?

Mr. Crossman

I was not responsible for drafting the first version, but the hon. Gentleman will find that the whole structure of the second tier and its close link with the community and the voluntary services will be emphasised in the new version.