HC Deb 02 March 1959 vol 601 cc4-5W
Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Health how many health centres have been provided under Section 21 of the National Health Service Act, 1946; and how many have been provided in Plymouth, Sheffield. London, and Stoke-on-Trent, respectively

Mr. Walker-Smith

Ten new health centres have been provided under this Section, including one in Sheffield and one in London; one has been approved in Stoke-on-Trent; I have had no proposal for a centre at Plymouth.

Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Health upon what administrative basis, condition or advice health centres are provided under Section 21 of the National Health Service Act, 1946; and to what extent areas receive priority or urgent consideration when the people employed are industrial workers and tend to suffer more than others from industrial conditions.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The continued experimental approach to health centres is based on advice given in reports by the Committee on General Practice in 1954 and by the Guillebaud Committee in 1956. The responsibility for providing a health centre rests with the local health authority in consultation with the executive council and other interests concerned. No question of priority between areas has so far arisen.