§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from bodies relating to the presentation of their point of view on regional hospital boards; what reply he has sent; what is the proportion of local authority nominations; and what proposals he has for altering the system.
§ Mr. K. Robinson:Many bodies have made representations on the presentation of their point of view on Regional Hospital Boards. I have replied that I seek to include the widest possible range of experience and appropriate interests within the membership of each Board but that I appoint members primarily for the individual contribution they can make and not as representatives of particular bodies or interests. As many members are recommended by more than one body or by different bodies on different occasions during their course of membership, figures of the proportion of members appointed on the recommendation of local authorities have little significance. I have no proposals for changes in the present system, but the hon. Member will know that later this year I intend to publish in the form of a Green Paper tentative proposals for the reform of the administrative structure of the National Health Service.