HC Deb 21 June 1977 vol 933 cc1071-2
1. Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the Royal Commission on the Health Service to make an interim report.

The Secretary of State for Social Services (Mr. David Ennals)

The terms of reference of the Royal Commission on the National Health Service do not require an interim report, and it would normally be for the Royal Commission itself to decide whether to make one. I am not aware that it intends to do so.

Mr. Forman

Before the Royal Commission makes its final and first report on this important matter, will it be able to look into the vexed question of the abuse of ministerial patronage by the right hon. Gentleman? Will it be able to make a recommendation that would prevent a recurrence of the sacking of more than one-third of the area health authority chairmen, apparently on the ground that they were not Labour Party supporters?

Mr. Ennals

If the hon. Member is objecting to the system he had better raise the matter with his right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-East (Sir K. Joseph), because he established the system and I followed his procedure. Since the question has arisen I can tell the House that out of 90 chairmen, 58—that is almost two-thirds—have been reappointed. The remaining 32 are appointed for the first time.

In some cases the existing chairmen are retiring of their own accord. In some cases I thought it was right to make a change. It would be invidious for me to discuss individual cases in the House. To say that they were peremptorily dismissed, as I think the hon. Gentleman suggested, is nonsense. They were appointed for a period of four years. There was no presumption that they would continue in office for ever. I reappointed two-thirds, which is a perfectly reasonable thing to do. My task is to ensure that we have the best men for the job.

Mr. Pavitt

Although it is within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission, is my right hon. Friend aware of the strong rumour that the whole of the dental treatment service will be excluded from its considerations? Will he ensure that dentistry is not treated as a second-class service within the Health Service?

Mr. Ennals

As far as I am concerned the dental treatment service has a high priority. It is within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission. I have had no representation from the Commission to suggest that dentistry should be excluded from its considerations.