Schedule 1 - Schedule 7A to be inserted in the National Health Service Act 1977
Health (Wales) Bill
4:45 pm
Mr Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire, Liberal Democrat)
I agree with those who have spoken in the debate; we are all in favour of having a broader representation on community health councils and a more open way of appointing the members. That will ensure that they reflect the nature and composition of the area they represent in considering the quality of the health service that is provided for local people.
The hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell seems to be embracing the concept of devolution but he has not got there yet. Glyn Davies, the Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, has been referred to. He said:
''I would like to see more Conservative ideas about how we can improve devolved Government and less looking back towards a more centrally based system of government.''
As those of us who know Glyn are aware, he is not in the best of health, but his ideas are fairly robust.
The amendment would mean that the powers were held centrally, in Westminster. But we should have the faith and confidence to say that these matters should be for regulation by the Assembly. I do not go along with the argument that things are hunky dory at the moment. Recently, I received a letter from a person who has reservations about the Bill, stating:
''Roughly six months ago I had reason to go to my GP's surgery. On one of the notice boards was a list of members of the local CHC with the area they represent . . . we established the political affiliation of the twelve members of this CHC. They were either serving Labour Councillors, former Labour Councillors or, yes you've guessed it, members of the local Labour party.''
I have not said which local CHC the letter referred to because I have not been able to ascertain whether the statement is truthful, but that is people's perception. We must break away from that.