§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given to health authorities about legal action to prevent the publication of confidential health authority documents by the news media.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo advice has been given on this question. Action to protect the confidentiality of their own documents is for health authorities themselves to determine in the light of their legal advice.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice was given by his Department to the West Lambeth health authority before the authority brought injunctions to prevent the publication of confidential documents.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNone.
§ Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the chairman of the West Lambeth area health authority took out an injunction against the press not to report the contents of a consultation document concerning bed closures in Tooting Bec, South Western and St. Thomas's hospitals.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI understand that theSouth London Press obtained a copy of a draft consultation document which had been issued to members of the 259W authority for discussion in private and that the editor refused to delay publication. The injunction was lifted after the meeting. If the hon. Member requires further information, I suggest he approaches the chairman direct.
The improper leaking of confidential documents of this kind before they have even been considered by an authority can, in some circumstances, greatly inhibit frank discussion of issues by an authority and undermine the process of decision-making on difficult issues.