§ Mr. Woodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements he will make to improve the effectiveness of the supplies function in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. FowlerThe Health Service Supply Council, under the chairmanship of Mr. B. E. Cotton CBE, and latterly of Mr. W. M. Darling OBE, has done much to stimulate improvements in this field, but its effectiveness has been limited by the advisory nature of its powers. Having already established new management arrangements in the National Health Service, I have decided to wind up the council. We shall now provide a clear line of management and accountability from my Department direct to health authorities in supplies as in other matters. I am accordingly appointing a director of procurement and distribution, at under-secretary level, in the Department to support the NHS management board in ensuring that the NHS operates an efficient supply function.
The order and regulations needed to wind up the council will be laid before Parliament shortly.