§ Mr. Sharpasked the Minister of Health how many regional hospital boards have appointed full time architects; how many others have invited applications for such appointments; for what reasons these are justified; and, 131W in particular, whether the work of the regional architect is advisory or executive in character and includes work initiated by hospital management committees under the board.
§ Mr. BevanTwelve regional hospital boards have appointed full-time architects. Of the remaining two, neither has yet invited applications for such appointments. The regional boards are responsible for all capital works of construction, reconstruction and adaptation at non-teaching hospitals, and also for the supervision of major schemes of building maintenance. The majority have found that this necessitates the employment of full-time professional officers. The work of the regional architect may be both advisory and executive and include the handling of proposals designed to meet needs made known to the boards by hospital management committees.