§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will issue new advice to regional hospital boards on confidentiality to enable more information about future plans and current spending to be given to the general public;
(2) whether he will issue general advice to regional hospital boards about the conduct of their public relations and their dealings with the Press, radio and television;
109W(3) what recent communications he has received from the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board on the subject of confidentiality and the release of information to the Press; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. CrossmanBoards are aware of the importance I attach to the cultivation of good communications with the public, Press and broadcasting media on all matters of public interest. I am considering what further arrangements may be needed to help to improve their public relations. It is however desirable to have general rules to control premature disclosure of business while under preliminary and confidential discussion; a model standing order on confidentiality of proceedings in Committee was recommended to hospital authorities by my Department in 1956.