§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue advice to district health authorities not to consider closures, cuts or other sensitive issues of public concern in closed sessions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeGuidance on the admission of the press and members of the public in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 was issued to health authorities in May 1981 in Circular HC(81)6.
The guidance specifically recognises that it is for authorities themselves to decide whether or when to close their meetings to the press and general public but points out that there is a presumption in favour of open and public discussion wherever possible.
I am concerned by recent occasions when members of the public have caused disruption at meetings on controversial subjects. A member of the public who attends a meeting in pursuance of a legal right who then abuses that right by creating a disturbance becomes a trespasser and is liable to expulsion. In my opinion it will usually be necessary for such people or groups of people to be ejected so that a proper discussion of the issues by the members of the authority can take place free of intimidation or interruption.