§ Mr. Hopkinsasked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement about the future of the post of superintendent of psychiatric hospitals.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAfter carefully considering all the representations which have been made to me, I have decided to make regulations revoking the National Health Service (Superintendents of Mental Hospitals etc.) Regulations, 1948, as from the date of the coming into force of the main provisions of the Mental Health Act, 1959. The effect will be to put psychiatric hospitals in the same position as other hospitals in that there will be complete discretion whether or not a superintendent should be appointed. The new regulations will preserve the contractual rights of superintendents actually in post.