HC Deb 18 March 1955 vol 538 cc143-4W
Colonel Stoddart-Scott

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the running of the Wakefield Hospitals, Group B, on the payment of allowances there, and on the destruction of the hospital car and of the hospital records and accounts; and if there has yet been a change of the chairman of this hospital management committee.

Mr. Sylvester

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the administration of the hospitals under the control of the Wakefield, Group B, Management Committee; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The committee have, to a large extent, met criticisms of their administrative procedures made in the past by the auditors, and I have no special statement to make either on the administration of their hospitals generally or on the payment of allowances. I shall, however, continue to keep the situation under review. I am informed that no hospital car controlled by this Committee has been destroyed and that none of their records and accounts are known to have been improperly destroyed. The present chairman of the committee was first appointed in April, 1952.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

asked the Minister of Health the names of the committee responsible for the running of Stapleton Park Farm; if he is now satisfied with the staffing of this project; and when the Wakefield Hospital Group B Committee will have ended this farming experiment in accordance with his policy.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The Members are:

  • County Alderman A. Flavell, J.P. (Chairman of the Sub-Committee).
  • County Alderman A. Bednall.
  • County Councillor G. Wright.
  • Alderman Mrs. Hammond.
  • Alderman Miss E. M. Lister.
  • W. T. Imeson, Esq.
  • Alderman H. J. Bambridge, O.B.E., J.P.
  • B. Hazell, Esq., M.B.E., J.P.
I have been in communication with the hospital management committee on certain questions relating to the staff of the farm and have now accepted their assurances on these. I can see no good reason for retaining this farm, but I cannot yet say when the Committee's farming activities will come to an end.