Mr. Edward TaylorI beg to move Amendment No. 1, in page 2, line 1, leave out from 'cause' to 'an' in line 2. The Amendment is consequential on new Clause 2, which provides that the accounts of the Trust shall be audited annually.
§ Amendment agreed to.
Mr. Edward TaylorI beg to move Amendment No. 2, in page 2, line 3, at end insert:
Provided that the Trust shall give reasonable access to the accounts to Boards of Management and Regional Hospital Boards.The Amendment results from a very important point raised in Committee by the right hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross). We were impressed by his argument, and have accordingly tabled the Amendment, which will enable Boards to have access to the Trust accounts so that they may obtain information about items in which they have an interest.I undertook in Committee, as reported at columns 11–13 of the OFFICIAL REPORT of the Committee proceedings, that we would examine the matter and make whatever arrangements were appropriate. We had thought that if specific provision was required it could be made in regulations under Clause 7(2). But in view of what the right hon. Gentleman said we felt on reflection that it would be better that the right of access should be provided once and for all in the Bill.
I hope that with that explanation the House will be prepared to accept the Amendment.
§ Mr. RossI thank the hon. Gentleman for the Amendment, and commend to him further the process of consideration and reflection that has produced this worthy improvement.
§ Amendment agreed to.