§ Q2. Mr. Moonmanasked the Prime Minister if he will make a tatement on the progress of the consultations about the possibility of setting up commissioners for local government and for the hospital service.
§ The Prime MinisterConsultations are now in progress with the local authority associations on the Government's proposals for a local government commissioner, and with professional and other interests on a health commissioner.
§ Mr. MoonmanI am grateful for that reply, which is certainly welcome. Is my right hon. Friend also aware that there is clearly a crying need to deal with the problem of democratisation in both these institutions and that we hope he will make a further statement before the Summer Recess?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government attach very great importance to the provision of some degree of machinery for investigating grievances on a local government basis and independently and also in the Health Service. It is right that these consultations should be taken a little further before any statement is made.
§ Dr. WinstanleyBefore reaching any final conclusion on these important matters, would it not be helpful to the Prime Minister to hear the views of Members on the working of the Parliamentary Commissioner? Is it not regrettable that, despite the fact that he has now been working for three years, none of his reports or the reports of his Select Committee have yet been fully debated in the House?
§ The Prime MinisterThis is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House, but the rather cautious proposal introduced about the ombudsman. turned down by right hon. Gentlemen opposite, has already had some valuable results.