Mr. Slater66, 67 and 68. asked the Minister of Health (1) why he recommended to the Darlington Hospital's Management Committee that the two officials who had been dismissed by the committee should be offered formal reinstatement, and that they should be regarded as on special leave with pay from the date of dismissal, until suitable employment could be found;
(2) if suitable employment has now been found for the two officials who were dismissed by the Darlington Hospital's Management Committee and when they took up these duties; and what was the amount of salary paid to these officials while regarded as on special leave with pay; and what was the date when this salary ceased to be paid;
(3) what was the outcome of the legal proceedings referred to in the reply given 157W by him to the hon. Member for Sedgefield on 11th December, 1952.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI agreed with the view of the Regional Hospital Board that there was not sufficient justification for the action of the Management Committee in summarily dismissing the two officers. In all the circumstances, however, I did not consider that their re-employment in their previous posts would be in the best interests of the hospital service. One officer was subsequently appointed to a vacant post on the headquarters staff of the Regional Board and his salary from the Management Committee ceased on 29th September, 1953. The other officer obtained other employment himself and his salary ceased on 13th March, 1954. Their respective salaries were £745 and £735 per annum. As to the legal proceedings, which do not involve my Department. I understand that they have not yet been completed.