§ 9.58 p.m.
§ The Minister of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Paul Channon)I beg to move,
That the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, a draft of which was laid before this House on 11th July, be approved.The draft order is another in the important series of measures stemming from the reorganisation of local government and other services in Northern Ireland. It will provide a new administrative structure for the personal health and personal social services in Northern Ireland, and its provisions follow closely those of a Bill which, following presentation, lapsed on the prorogation of the Northern Ireland Parliament.I would emphasise that, unlike the other orders, the structure proposed in the draft order derived only in part from the reorganisation of local government. Throughout the United Kingdom there is recognition that the existing division of the personal health services into three compartments—namely, the hospital and specialist services, the family practitioner services and the personal health services provided by local health authorities—does not best meet the needs of patients today or enable the most efficient and effective use of resources. There is a Bill already before Parliament to integrate the Scottish Health Services and Measures are promised to do the same for England and Wales. The draft order contains comparable provisions in regard to the Health Service in Northern Ireland.
§ It being Ten o'clock, Mr. SPEAKER interrupted the Business.