HC Deb 10 July 1947 vol 439 cc240-1W
87. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Health why, in view of there being two isolation hospitals and two general hospitals in the Isle of Ely, no member from the Isle of Ely has been appointed to serve on the East Anglian Regional Hospital Board.

Mr. Bevan

Although every effort has been made to secure a reasonable balance of local knowledge on this and other boards, they are not intended to be constituted on a basis representative of particular areas or interests.

89. Mr. G. Roberts

asked the Minister of Health how many appointments have been made to the Welsh Regional Hospitals Board; whether this number is fixed; and what procedure will be followed in tilling casual vacancies.

Mr. Bevan

A chairman and 31 other members have been appointed in accordance with the constitution laid down in the National Health Service (Constitution of Regional Hospital Boards) Order of 24th June. Casual vacancies will be filled by the Minister of Health after consultation with the board and with any other bodies which appear to be concerned.

Mr. G. Roberts

asked the Minister of Health what is the procedure followed in appointing regional hospital boards; and whether he is satisfied that an adequate proportion of suitable women representatives are being appointed to these boards.

Mr. Bevan

The boards have been appointed after consulting all the principal organisations and bodies concerned, and the object has been to select the persons of best experience and qualification for the task—not representatives as such. However, the answer to the latter part of the Question is in the affirmative.