§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the resignation of all its officers and a number of its members, he will hold an inquiry into the membership and workings of the Rochdale Community Health Council and publish the findings of such an inquiry.
§ Mr. MoyleNo. Community health councils are independent statutory bodies and are not accountable to my right hon. Friend. Regional health authorities are responsible for appointing the staff and a proportion of the members of community health councils and for approving their expenditure. The Rochdale Community Health Council consists of 30 members and there are seven vacancies at present. The Community health council has two staff, a secretary and an assistant. The post of secretary becomes vacant on 1st June when the present secretary's secondment to the council ends, and this post has been advertised. The assistant remains in post.