§ Mr. Boscawenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that the Press and public cannot be refused admittance to meetings of the regional health authorities and area health authorities.
§ Sir K. JosephWhen regional and area health authorities take over administration of the service on 1st April 1974 their meetings will be subject to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and the Press will be admitted except where the authority resolves in accordance with that Act to exclude the public on the ground that publicity would for reasons contemplated by the Act be prejudicial to the public interest. As regards meetings before 1st April 1974 I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt) on 23rd October.—[Vol. 861, c.443.]