§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to ensure that the proposed subcommittees of the Birmingham area health authority are open to the public on the same basis as meetings of the authority.
§ Mr. MoyleNo. The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, provides for the admittance of the public to meetings of, inter alia, health authorities unless the body in question by resolution excludes the public from a meeting whenever publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted or for other reasons stated in the resolution and arising from the nature of that business or of the proceedings. If the body resolves itself into committee, 179W its proceedings are also covered by the Act of 1960 providing the members of the committee consist of or include all members of the parent body. I am satisfied that the admittance of the public to subcommittees or meetings not otherwise covered by the Act should remain a matter for the health authority concerned.
I understand that the proposed subcommittees of the Birmingham area health authority (teaching) will have no decision-taking powers and will each consist of about one-half of the full membership of the authority. They are intended to create a forum in which both members and officers of the authority can exchange views leading to better informed debate by members in full meetings of the authority.