§ Mr. Batisteasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement concerning his consultations with local authority associations on proposals for changes in the procedures governing the termination of local authority appointments to district health authorities.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have consulted the Association of County Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and the Association of District Councils about a proposed amendment to regulations 5(3) of the NHS (Regional and District Health Authorities Membership and Procedure) Regulations 1983. This would have the effect of requiring local authorities, as is already the case with regional health authorities, to obtain the Secretary of State's consent to the early termination of an appointment to a district health authority on the grounds that its continuance is not in the interest of the Health Service. We will be advising the associations of our decision in the near future.
We are anxious to ensure that all members of district health authorities are appointed to exercise their own judgment on issues before them and do not come under undue pressure to act as mandated representatives of outside bodies.