§ Mr. D. Howellasked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that it is consistent with the public good to allow private architects regularly to attend meetings of Hospital Management Committees in an advisory capacity; and what regulations govern such practices.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe attendance of architects at meetings is not governed by regulation, and I would not wish to limit the discretion properly allowed to a hospital authority in seeking professional advice of this nature.
§ Mr. D. Howellasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that since 1948 almost the whole of the architectural work at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital Group, Oswestry, has been obtained by one firm of architects; how much are the total fees paid to this firm of architects; how much are the total fees paid to this firm since the Health Service was instituted; in view of public concern over this matter, whether he will make a statement as to how such a monopoly position arose; and what action he proposes to prevent any such recurrence.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI understand that one firm of architects has undertaken work at this hospital for some 30 years, and that since 5th July, 1948, the Regional Hospital Board have paid this firm some £20,000 in fees for work at this hospital. I have no information about fees paid before July, 1948.
It is often of advantage to a hospital to retain architects with knowledge and experience of their buildings. Professional 32W advisers are selected on their merits and can always be changed if the results are not satisfactory; no question of a monopoly arises.