HC Deb 16 November 1966 vol 736 cc130-1W
Dr. Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the distribution of hospital endowment funds in Scotland.

Mr. Ross

In its report published in 1955, the Hospital Endowments Commission recommended that a review of the distribution of these funds might, with advantage, be undertaken in the light of ten years' experience of the working of their schemes.

In accordance with this recommendation I have decided to set up a working party with the following terms of reference: To review the allocation of endowments transferred to boards of management at the appointed day under section 7(2) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1947 on the basis of the principles laid down in the Report of the Hospital Endowments Commission having regard to:

  1. (1) changes in the location and numbers of hospital beds;
  2. (2) current standards of care and amenity for patients in mental and mental deficiency hospitals;
  3. (3) the needs of research; and
  4. (4) investment opportunities and changes in the value of money; and to make recommendations to the Secretary of State as to whether amending schemes should be framed under section 8 of the said Act and if so, in what terms."

I am most grateful to the following people who have agreed to serve on this working party:

Chairman:

Professor Robert Browning, C.B.E., C.A.

Members:

A. M. Donnett, Esq.

J. A. R. Falconer, Esq., C.A.

Professor G. L. Montgomery, C.B.E., T.D., M.D.

R. W. Paton, Esq.

Professor P. G. Stein.

S. Stevenson, Esq.

The Secretary of the working party will be W. P. Lawrie, Esq., Scottish Home and Health Department, St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh.