§ 52 and 53. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Health (1) what is to be 164W his practice in making appointments to regional hospital boards; and to what extent he will take into account the political affiliations of those to be appointed;
(2) what consideration he has given to the letter from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, forwarding to him the communication from the secretary of the Essex Federation of Labour Parties, complaining of the political bias in past appointments to hospital boards; and what action he proposes to take to rectify this situation.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI would refer my hon. Friend to the Answers I gave on 31st May to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley (Mr. Ioan L. Evans) and to the supplementary of the right hon. Member for Bridlington (Mr. Wood).
I have noted the views expressed in the letter referred to; members are appointed for the contribution they can make to the efficient running of the hospital service.