§ 44. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to pay emoluments to the chairman and members of the Welsh Regional Hospital Board.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNo.
§ Mr. JonesIs the Minister not aware that the chairman of the Welsh Regional Hospital Board is responsible for a budget of £50 million and for the employment of thousands of people in Wales? Would he not agree that it would be a good idea for the chairman to have some remuneration throughout the year, if only because he works at least three days a week on hospital board business?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI am very appreciative of the valuable work that is done voluntarily by the chairman and other members of the Welsh Regional Hospital Board, but any change in the voluntary system would require amending legislation. Since the reorganisation of the 937 National Health Service is under consideration, it is inopportune at present to consider any administrative changes in isolation.