HC Deb 23 November 1973 vol 864 cc560-1W
Mr. Roderick

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will use the services of the rural community councils to convene meetings of voluntary organisations and accept from them lists of names from which members of the community health councils can be chosen.

Mr. Peter Thomas

Rural community councils and other interested bodies will be welcome to submit names of organisations likely to be interested in appointing members. It will be for voluntary organisations themselves to decide how best any meetings might be convened. Preliminary discussions with representatives of organisations suggest that the pattern may vary from one locality to another: but rural community councils, if willing, may well have a rôle to play.

Mr. Roderick

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to allocate the places on community health councils to voluntary bodies.

Mr. Peter Thomas

Preliminary lists of organisations likely to be interested are being drawn up locally and at an appropriate time I shall issue an open Press invitation to all organisations to apply for consideration. In consultation with the new county and district councils I shall then select organisations which will be invited to agree among themselves how the available places shall be allocated. Failing agreement within a reasonable period I shall determine an allocation.

Mr. Roderick

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will extend the consultations he is having with the county and district councils, on the setting up of community health councils, to parish councils.

Mr. Peter Thomas

No, for time is short and I am satisfied that the new county and district councils will take into account the interest in the health service of all the communities within their areas.

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