HC Deb 21 January 1972 vol 829 c289W
Mr. Carter

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the powers which enable him to order the release of a patient's medical records;

(2) if he will list the statutory provisions which relate to the ownership of a patient's hospital and other medical records.

Sir K. Joseph

There are no statutory provisions specifically relating to my ownership of such records or to my powers to release them. I have a general power of direction to hospial authorities under Section 12 of the National Health Service Act, 1946.