§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why works officers responsible for the maintenance and security of National Health Service buildings and equipment are not to be full members of their area and district management teams, respectively.
§ Dr. OwenThis decision was made by the previous Government as part of the management arrangements for the reorganised National Health Service. It was then considered that the membership of area teams of officers and district management teams should be limited to those whose agreement was essential to the making and carrying out of decisions concerning the whole range of health services for which area health authorities are responsible and that works staff did not come within this category. We shall keep the working of this decision under review in the light of experience.