Rehabilitation: Appointment to Professorship (Hansard, 9 June 1982)

§ Baroness Masham of Ilton
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Trefgarne)
My Lords, this is not a matter for Her Majesty's Government, but rather for the University of Southampton.

§ Baroness Masham of Ilton
My Lords, while I thank the Minister for that rather vague reply, may I ask him whether the medical faculties of universities do not have a lot to do with clinical work on patients? Is the noble Lord aware that Professor Glanville, the last professor of rehabilitation at Southampton, did a tremendous amount of work in the Wessex region and that this spread all over the country? It is now two and a half years since he retired, and no other appointment has been made. Is the noble Lord not aware that rehabilitation is very important, with so many severely disabled people in the community and so much high technology now surrounding the severely disabled?

§ Lord Trefgarne
My Lords, I certainly agree about the merit of the work of Professor Glanville, who was the previous holder of this seat. Also, of course, I agree about the importance of rehabilitation work, but l have to say that the filling of this chair is a matter for the university and not for the Government.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, can my noble friend confirm that this means there is now only one professor of rehabilitation in the country and that is in Edinburgh, in Scotland? Is he aware that that chair is widely regarded, in Scotland and beyond, as performing a very useful role and as fulfilling completely the purposes of its foundation?

§ Lord Trefgarne
My Lords, I am certain that the merit of the chair in Scotland is equal to that of the one in Southampton, when that chair is filled. Also, of course, I agree with my noble friend about the importance of the work carried on.

Lord Wallace of Coslany
My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that unfortunately Scotland seems once again to lead the field in these matters? Is the noble Lord also aware that, though, as he said, it may be the case that this is a matter for the University of Southampton, he ought, in view of his ministerial office, to come to the point and say that in his opinion it would he desirable that the post should be filled at the earliest opportunity?—that is, without committing the Government to becoming involved in it.

§ Lord Trefgarne
My Lords, the filling of this chair is a matter for the authorities of the university in question. Of course, it is desirable that the chair should be filled. In fact, the chair was originally endowed by the Government some eight or nine years ago, but it is also necessary, of course, that the chair should be filled by an appropriate candidate.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords, if it is the responsibility of the university, is it not the case that the university may not be able to fill this chair because of the lack of resources? In view of the recent cuts imposed by the Government—not by the University Grants Committee—on the universities generally, can the noble Lord say whether that is a factor in the consideration at the present time?

§ Lord Trefgarne
My Lords, the chair was endowed by a gift from the Government of £100,000 some eight or nine years ago, so I do not think that resources are a problem in connection with the filling of the chair itself.

Lord Inglewood
My Lords, can my noble friend confirm that what is really important is that the occupant of this chair should be the best available man, and not the first available man?

§ Lord Trefgarne
My Lords, I certainly agree with that. It is also the case that the best available man is not always able or willing to take the job.

§ Lord Mackie of Benshie
My Lords, does the Minister think that the interest on £100,000, even at the present rate, would pay the best available man?

§ Lord Trefgarne
My Lords, that depends on how long the sum of money is expected to last.