§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue instructions to district health authorities reminding them of the entitlement of hon. Members to receive all documents and accounts which are available to authority members, even those for confidential consideration in connection with hospitals, services and overall management covering the constituency of the hon. Member concerned and to seek to improve compliance with those rules by all health authorities.
§ Mr. Whitney[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986, c. 67–68]: I regret that my earlier reply contained an error. It should have read as follows. Under section 1(4) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 members of the press are entitled to receive on request, and subject to appropriate payment, copies of the agenda and related documents for items to be discussed during that part of a health authority's meeting which is open to the public. In addition copies of these documents are normally available to those members of the public who attend the meeting. There is no entitlement to receive or have access to confidential documents relating to items discussed in closed session. Hon. Members have no rights in this respect above those of any member of the public.