§ 27. Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will undertake a reorganisation of the National Health Service on the lines of the 1970 Green Paper.
§ 60. Mr. Orbachasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on his Department's time-table with regard to the reorganisation of the National Health Service, either in accordance with, or in modification of, the Green Paper.
§ Sir K. JosephI would refer hon. Members to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Dr. Vaughan) on 5th November in which I said that the Government intend to unify the administration of the National Health Service.—[Vol. 805, c. 437–9.]
§ Dr. SummerskillWould the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the present system of making appointments to hospital management committees and regional hospital boards is undemocratic and self-perpetuating? Will he bear in mind that the Green Paper proposes a scheme for replacing the present system and that such a change is long overdue?
§ Sir K. JosephThe details of how to carry out the recommendations are now being urgently studied.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergWill my right hon. Friend in examining this do his best to remedy the blatant political imbalance caused over the past six years in appointments to hospital boards?
§ Sir K. JosephI will certainly be looking at the quality of management. That will be my main criterion.