Schedule 1 - Schedule 7A to be inserted in the National Health Service Act 1977
Health (Wales) Bill
5:15 pm
Mr Don Touhig (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Welsh Office; Islwyn, Labour/Co-operative)
I would, but for the fact that the proposals that I have articulated today are supported by the CHCs themselves. They are urging the Assembly to introduce open recruitment. The Government and the Assembly are responding to the requirements of those who run CHCs in Wales.
The Assembly's recruitment process is published, it is subject to a code of practice and it is open, and the Assembly, as a body corporate, has approved the code. The Opposition are right to express fears that, at some time, a different political party might try to change the code for party political ends. However, it would have to put the issue to a vote in the Assembly before a change could be made. I reassure the hon. Gentleman that there is an open and transparent system for recruiting people to serve on CHCs. The Bill seeks to extend that, not to diminish the important roles of the voluntary sector and local authorities. We are responding to a demand from CHCs in Wales, which favour a more open recruitment process.
I do not know what more I can say to satisfy the hon. Gentleman, other than to make it absolutely clear
that we are committed to the process; it is there for everybody to see. Nothing is hidden and anyone can apply. People in my community have asked how they might apply and I have given them the forms and paperwork to send in. When I attend meetings in my constituency, I ask for a show of hands to indicate who serves on the CHC. If no hands go up, I ask people to serve and invite them to apply; I tell them that we need people like them, representing all parts of the community, to participate. That is the process that the Assembly is promoting. I urge the hon. Gentleman to reflect and to withdraw the amendment and new clause 1, and to accept my assurance that the CHC movement throughout Wales supports the increasingly open and transparent recruitment process.