§ Mr. Jeffrey Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he can yet announce his decisions on the proposals contained in the consultation paper "Making Welsh Health Authorities more Democratic".
§ Mr. John MorrisOrders have today been placed before both Houses of Parliament which implement decisions I have made to make health authorities in Wales more democratic. The size of area health authorities in Wales is to be increased and additional appointments made so that at least one-third of the300W membership is drawn from local authorities. Members, additional to those already appointed by county councils, will be appointed on the nomination of district councils in each AHA area.
Consultations are proceeding with staff organisations on the proposal to appoint to health authorities representatives of staff working in the NHS, other than doctors and nurses who are already represented. As an earnest of my intention the orders provide for the addition of staff members.
Further, I have decided that community health councils will be entitled to send one of their members to AHA meetings with the right to speak but not to vote.