Written question asked by Tony Wright (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 21 March 1997. It was answered by Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative) on Friday, 21 March 1997 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: Which of the National Health Service bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base; and if he will list those bodies which (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case this is under a statutory requirement.

Answer: Dr. Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which of the national health service bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base; and if he will list those bodies which (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [21759] Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: All national health service bodies in Scotland have a statutory basis. Health boards and special health boards are statutorily required to admit members of the public to their meetings, unless by resolution they exclude the public to all or part of their meetings for a specific reason, for example, security considerations. NHS trusts are statutorily required to hold an annual public meeting and many trusts voluntarily admit the public to their board meetings. The Mental Welfare Commission, the Common Services Agency and the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland are not required to hold any board meetings to which the public is admitted.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 21759; 292 c994-5W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Disclosure of information Freedom of information NHS Meetings Scottish Office