HC Deb 04 March 1980 vol 980 cc131-2W
Mrs Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Security which bodies and organisations he intends to appoint to the advisory committee to look at the reports of the Flowers committee and the London Health Planning Consortium; what time scale he envisages for representations to be made to the committee and for decisions to be made; and if he will ensure that there is full public discussion before any decisions are reached.

Dr. Vaughan

The Advisory Group on London which my right hon. Friend proposes to establish will include representatives of the Department of Health and Social Security, the University Grants Committee, the University of London, the four Thames regional health authorities, the postgraduate Boards of Governors, the Greater London Council and the London Boroughs Association. It will also include a small number of independent members, including the chairman. The membership and terms of reference of the group will be announced in due course.

The purpose of the group will be to assist Ministers in reaching decisions on some of the major issues affecting the health service in London, including those which are of significance for the restructuring of health authorities and to advise on proposals developed by the health authorities for restructuring. A number of relevant reports, including the Flowers report and the discussion document issued by the London Health Planning Consortium, will need to be considered by the group. The group cannot, however, advise on the decisions to be taken on the Flowers report; these are entirely a matter for the University of London but it will need to consider the implications of the university's decision.

The issues and reports which the advisory group will be called upon to consider are at present, or will be, the subject of wide consultation. The views of interested parties—including community health councils, local authorities and staff interests—will be collected by the responsible authorities. The evidence which they provide will be put, together with the original reports and proposals, to the advisory group. There will, therefore, be the fullest opportunities for public debate and a variety of possible solutions will have been explored. It will be the advisory group's task to take this evidence, and any further information which it requires, and to advise the Ministers which course of action is to be preferred. That advice will be made public, but I would not expect to undertake further formal consultations on it.