§ 37. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the 541W Health Education Council gave its director general 18 months' leave on full pay of £20,000 per annum prior to his retirement and why it employed another director general to replace him, thus incurring a cost of £40,000 per annum; and, if, in view of the annual cost of £4½ million, he will abolish the council forthwith.
§ Dr. VaughanNo. My right hon. Friend has no plans to abolish the Health Education Council, which will continue to have an important role to play in the field of prevention and health.
The director general was given 18 months' leave from the council to carry out the duties connected with his office as president of the International Union for Health Education. A successor was needed to carry out the urgent task of developing campaigns which reflect the Government's policies and priorities on prevention and on subjects which will have the greatest impact.