PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND MACCLESFIELD HEALTH AUTHORITY (9 December 1992)

That this House believes that appointments of chairs of health authorities should be made on the basis of knowledge of the authority and the local area, proven ability and experience in health service provision; deplores the appointment of Mr Simon Cussons, Leader of the Conservative Group on the Cheshire County to the Chairmanship of the Macclesfield Health Authority; denounces this blatant political nepotism; registers its concern at the Machiavellian behaviour of Mr Cussons who, immediately on taking that Chairmanship, appointed as District General Manager the individual who had compiled the shortlist for that vacancy and whose family connections with other local health authorities raise questions of serious impropriety; notes that the Secretary of State has accepted that in this case best practice was not followed; demands the removal of Mr Cussons from the Chairmanship of the Macclesfield Health Authority, the readvertising of the post of District General Manager, and the immediate resignation of Sir Donald Wilson, Chair of the Mersey Regional Health Authority who has orchestrated these events for political motives; deplores the obvious collusion between Sir Donald, the Conservative Party North-West area office, Mr Cussons, Mrs Hannah and the Secretary of State prior to these events; demands that the Secretary of State, in view of the contempt with which she has treated the integrity of the Health Service, is immediately dismissed from office; and concludes that under the present Government the Health Service is seen as a means of reward and remuneration for Tory Party hacks.

Sponsored by:
Eddie Loyden (Labour)