Minutes Open But Board Appeals For Secrecy

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30215, 21 August 1963, Page 17

Minutes Open But Board Appeals For Secrecy

Although it rescinded a resolution passed at a previous meeting to have the minutes of a special meeting on July 24 kept confidential, the Ashburton Hospital Board at a special meeting yesterday appealed for non-publication of the minutes. In a statement, the board said that it was “strongly of the opinion that any publication of the minutes would be contrary to the public interest and to the interests of the hospital because of their confidential nature.”

At its meeting on August 12, the board passed a resolution to have the minutes of the previous special meeting kept confidential, although no motion was passed at the special meeting to have the public excluded.

At this special meeting the resignation of the surgeonsuperintendent (Mr A. J Mason) was discussed and a statement issued that the resignations of the visiting anaesthetist (Dr. R. T Baker) and newly appointed visiting surgeon (Dr. B. J. Francis) had been accepted with regret. Because of an inquiry from the public requesting to see the minutes of this meeting, the board met yesterday to consider its solicitors’ opinion Although this was done with the public excluded, discussion of the minutes, the

motion and the issuing of the statement was in open meeting. Test Case Sought When th motion rescinding the -resolution was put, Mr Burton said there was another way “in which the board could deal with this. “This is probably without precedent. There is no case law in the country to refer to. If the board wishes, it could withhold the minutes which would result in the public demanding to see the minutes. “This would result in a test case which would be thoroughly discussed to find out if in the Public Bodies Act there were any traps or pitfalls. It would appear that there were, which was not intended when the act was drawn up.” “The board would be liable under the Health Act if it was against the law of the country,” said Mr McDowell. “There would be special circumstances," said Mr Burton.

Both Mr E. T. Grigg and Mrs E. McQuilkin opposed the statement issued by the board “If this is not asking the press not to print this, I do not know what is,” said Mr Grigg. “I think it is an extraordinary statement," said Mrs McQuilkin. “It is not extraordinary," said the chairman (Mr M. D McDowell). “The board should be able to express its opinion.” said Mr E. J. Wood. It was the board's opinion that the minutes of the special meeting were not to be published and that was the board’s attitude in passing the resolution, said Mr Burton. “Not all the board,” said Mr Grigg. Mr Grigg and Mrs McQuilkin were the only members of the board who opposed the resolution when it was made ait the meeting on August 12. Messrs A. P. E. Killian, Wood, Burton, and Mrs J. A. Brown voted for the release of the statement and Mr Grigg and Mrs McQuilkin against. Mrs M. C. Ryan abstained from voting.