§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD FERRIERMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider amending the Statutory Rules applying to hospital boards of management in Scotland so as to ensure that there is on any board a representative for each burgh having a population in excess of 7,500 and having at least one hospital unit within its boundaries.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND (LORD HUGHES)My Lords, the procedure for the appointment 2 by Regional Hospital Boards of hospital boards of management in Scotland is laid down in the National Health Service (Scotland) Act, 1947. Her Majesty's Government have no proposals to amend these provisions.
§ LORD FERRIERMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, I would ask whether in the case of the Burgh of Lanark, which in fact is the Burgh to which I particularly refer—it has a population of 8,000 and two busy hospitals, one of which is a maternity hospital which I understand it is proposed to close down—he will ask his right honourable friend if he will use the powers which he possesses under Section 11 (6) or (7) of that Act to ensure that this Burgh is represented on the management board for South Lanarkshire hospitals?
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, there is at present a vacancy on the board of management for the South Lanarkshire Hospitals, and I can assure the noble Lord that in making an appointment to fill this vacancy, the Western Regional Hospital Board will consult the board of management for South Lanarkshire hospitals and will take into account the various representations that have been made on this subject, including the representations made to-day by the noble Lord.
§ LORD FERRIERI thank the noble Lord.