HC Deb 25 June 1968 vol 767 cc47-8W
Mr. Randall

asked the Minister of Health (1) what was the number and percentage of members of the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board who were nominated by trade unions; and how these figures compare with 1964;

2) what is the national average of membership of regional hospital boards appointed on the nomination of trade unions; and how this figure compares with 1964.

Mr. K. Robinson

At 1st April, 1968, the 15 regional hospital boards had 27 members appointed after recommendation by the Trades Union Congress (1–8 per Board) as compared with 18 (1–2 per Board) on 1st April, 1964. The corresponding figures for the Newcastle Board were two members in 1964 and one member in 1968. Four other members of the board have strong trade union connections.

Mr. Randall

asked the Minister of Health (1) what is the number and percentage of members of the hospital management committees in the area of the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board who are nominees of the trade unions; and how these figures compare with 1964;

(2) what is the national average of membership of hospital management committees nominated by trade unions; and how this figure compares with 1964.

Mr. K. Robinson

Such information is not normally collected centrally. A special enquiry in 1964 showed that 295 (4–7 per cent.) of the members of the 354 hospital management committees in England and Wales had been appointed after recommendation by trade unions or local federations of trades councils. 45 (9–4 per cent.) out of 481 members of such Committees in the Newcastle Region had been so appointed. No more recent figures are available.