HC Deb 04 April 1955 vol 539 cc67-8W
51. Colonel Stoddart-Scott

asked the Minister of Health how many of the members of the Stapleton Park Farm Committee are members of the Wakefield, Group B, Hospital Management Committee; who selects the committee; what knowledge the members of the committee have of farming; and what profit or loss has been made by this farm each year since 1949, respectively.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

This sub-committee of the hospital management committee consists of three members of the committee itself, three selected by the Menston Hospital Management Committee and three by the regional hospital board. My right hon. Friend is informed that most of the members have had long association with the administration of hospital farms, and that the farm has made a profit each year since 1948–49. The yearly figures are as follows:

Profits reported by the committee:
£ s. d.
1948 (July)–1949 2,090 10 1
1949–50 5,933 7 4
1950–51 280 13 7
1951–52 4,021 7 9
1952–53 1,666 13 5
1953–54 7,511 19 8
£21,524 11 10

56. Colonel Stoddart-Scott

asked the Minister of Health what criticisms the auditors made with regard to the administration of Wakefield Hospitals, Group B.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The following is a summary of the main criticisms:

  1. (1) Purchases of certain livestock and articles at apparently excessive prices.
  2. (2) Large spot purchases of vegetables.
  3. (3) Inadequate farm records and accounts.
  4. (4) The possibly excessive use of direct labour for hospital maintenance without the invitation of tenders; and the method of opening tenders.
  5. (5) Miscellaneous irregularities, such as loans of machinery and labour to neighbouring farms without proper authority.
  6. (6) The doubtful need for certain farm appointments.