HC Deb 01 February 1982 vol 17 cc58-9W
Mr. Guy Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make a statement about his decision to withdraw central funding for the publication of "Community Health Council News" for community health councils;

(2) what is the current annual cost to public funds of "Community Health Council News".

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 27 January 1982.—[Vol. 16, c.374.]

Mr. Guy Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list documents and publications other than "Community Health Council News", which have been made available free to members of community health councils by his Department during 1981.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Community health councils routinely receive all health circulars, health notices and personnel memoranda issued by the Department. In addition, individual documents of particular interest to community health councils are either distributed to them all free of charge or sent on request, but no central record is kept of these.

Mr. Guy Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost per copy of "Community Health Council News" which would enable it to become a commercially viable publication on a payment basis.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

No. This is a matter for the Association of Community Health Councils, which publishes "CHC News".

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many (a) health authorities, (b) academic institutions and (c) health libraries subscribe to "Community Health Council News".

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The information requested is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact "Community Health Council News" direct, at 362 Euston Road, London NW1 3BL.