§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations took place, and with whom, prior to the appointments of (a) the members and (b) the chairman of the new Brent district health authority.
§ Dr. VaughanDistrict health authority members are appointed in part by local authorities and in part by regional health authorities. There is no legal obligation on local authorities to consult over their appointments to DHAs and I am not aware that the London borough of Brent has undertaken any consultation. Regional health authorities are legally required to undertake consultation with professional bodies and such other bodies—including any federation of workers' organisations—as appear to be concerned. In the case of Brent, the North-West Thames RHA, in fulfilling its statutory obligation, consulted more that 30 national bodies and numerous local bodies.
DHA chairmen are appointed by my right hon. Friend. There is no obligation to consult over these appointments, although consultations on a confidential basis were undertaken.