§ 22. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the first report of the Health Service Commissioner.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe first report by the Health Service Commissioner for the Session 1976–77 was laid before the House and published in December. The appendix to that report contained the full texts of all the reports issued by the Commissioner on individual cases during the months April to July 1976 with the names of the individuals and health authorities concerned omitted. Beginning472W with that report the Commissioner intends to report to me at intervals throughout the year appending the texts of all his individual reports in this way, thus providing a complete record of all cases he investigates. The first report for 1976–77 contains the results of 38 investigations involving health authorities in England. In 23 of these cases the Commissioner upheld the complaint in whole or in part. Each individual report is sent by the Commissioner to the health authority concerned and it is for it to consider his findings and recommendations and to take any action it considers appropriate.