HC Deb 21 June 1976 vol 913 cc386-7W
Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to ensure a quicker "feedback" from the reports of the Health Advisory Service.

Mr. Ennals

Arrangements have recently been announced for giving the Health Advisory Service a more active role in following up its reports. This change is intended, among other things, to speed up the process of following-up action taken by the appropriate authorities on the advice of the HAS.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is saitsfied that the Health Advisory Service is cost-effective; and upon what factors he basess his view.

Mr. Ennals

The functions of the Health Advisory Service are to encourage and disseminate good practice, new ideas and constructive attitudes and relationships and to act as a catalyst to stimulate local solutions to local problems and also to advise the Secretary of State for Social Services about the conditions of the services which they visit in England. I am satisfied that since its establishment the Health Advisory Service has been a most successful mechanism for carrying out these functions.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will appoint a statistician to the staff of the Health Advisory Service.

Mr. Ennals

No. The Director of the Health Advisory Service is responsible for the appointment of the professional staff of the HAS within an agreed establishment ceiling.