HC Deb 13 July 1982 vol 27 cc837-8
1. Mr. Nicholas Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to conclude his consultations in respect of the future of community health councils.

The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg)

We have not commenced any such consultations, but we shall be considering the case for retaining community health councils in the longer term.

Mr. Baker

Does my hon. Friend agree that there is a good case for retaining community health councils where they are low cost, local and their object is to look after consumer interests? Is my hon. Friend aware of the general view that the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales is nothing more than a great sneeze? Thirdly,—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is the first question. It is a bad way to begin.

Mr. Finsberg

As you have applied the handkerchief, Mr. Speaker, I shall deal only with the first of my hon. Friend's questions. We deliberately decided not to take that view at present. The new locally based district CHCs are settling in. We want to give them time to see what their experience is with the new districts before we look at them further.

Mr. Freud

Will the Minister consider with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence the provision of facilities for a CHC for the 100,000 dependants of soldiers serving in the British Army of the Rhine, who are currently unrepresented as to their needs or desires?

Mr. Finsberg

I am sure that my right hon. Friend will be made aware of what has been said, but I shall pass that suggestion to him.

Mr. McNally

The Minister said that he would allow adequate time for the CHCs to work with the new district authorities. Does "adequate time" mean one, two or three years? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in areas such as Stockport chiropody and physiotherapy posts are left unfilled, and that there is a need for the CHC to argue the consumer's case?

Mr. Finsberg

Before I came to this place I knew the meaning of "shortly", "soon" and "at an early stage". All I can say, after some years, is that we have said that we shall look at it "in the future".

Mr. Terry Davis

Has the Minister seen the statement by the new chairman of the Association of Community Health Councils, that, in his opinion, the Government intend to erode the powers of CHCs? Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that that is not the Government's intention? Does the Minister have any doubts that CHCs are an essential part of the National Health Service?

Mr. Finsberg

I have seen the statement. Like many other statements, if it is looked at in context it will be realised that it refers to legislation. Had the Government taken such a decision, they would have announced it. We have firmly said that we shall look at the matter in due course. I stick to that.