§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the Health Services Board's future strategy and timetable for the further withdrawal of pay bed authorisations as set out in the board's report for 1978, laid before the House on 29 March, HC260; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsI would first like to record my appreciation of the progress the board has made so far and the hard work which the chairman, the board and committee members and board staff have put into what I recognise to be a very difficult task.
I do have some reservations however, about the board's future timetable. I made them known to the board in October when I commented on its proposals for future strategy, and again last month when I saw its provisional timetable as set out in its annual report. I told the board that I was particularly concerned at the time which seemed likely to elapse before it completed its task, but I recognise that the board's general approach is determined by the obligations placed upon it by the provisions of the Act.