§ 38. Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement regarding the Select Committee's recommendation that the Health Service Commissioner's jurisdiction be extended to enable him to investigate complaints involving clinical judgment and include in his statement the outcome of the discussions with the British Medical Association on this matter.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI doubt whether the recommendation carries with it the 159W consent of the medical profession which the Select Committee considered would be necessary for it to be successfully implemented. The former Health Service Commissioner in his annual report for 1977–78 also acknowledged that;
The wholehearted co-operation of the professions including the medical profession would be necessary.I am, therefore, awaiting the outcome of a request made by the last Government to the joint consultants' committee to put forward alternative proposals.