AMENDMENT REFUSED

Evening Star, Issue 23100, 28 October 1938, Page 16

AMENDMENT REFUSED

PURCHASE OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT PREVIOUS DECISION ADHERED TO Opposition to the first clause in the Hospital Committee’s report regarding the purchase of certain X-ray equipment was raised at last night’s meeting of the Hospital Board, but an amendment was ruled out of order. The clause in question read:—” That fresh application be made for the consent of the Minister to the purchase of Siemen’s X-ray diagnostic equipment, approved at the meeting on February 24, 1938, and as already applied for, at a reduced price of £4,363 net.” When the report was being considered Mr A. F. Quelch said he wished to move an amendment as follows: “ That application be made for the consent of the Minister to the purchase of Watson Victor KXB equipment at a cost of £3,930.” The chairman (Mr W. J. Dove): I cannot accept the amendment. It requires a notice of motion. The board has already reached a decision in the matter. Mr Quelch: This is a new board. The Minister has refused his consent to our application. “ I must correct you again,” said the chairman. “ The Minister has not refused his consent; he has only withheld it.” When Mr Quelch went on to speak of costs the chairman said that that matter was not before the meeting. The question of the purchase of the plant was being considered. Did this not put the Watson Victor firm at a disadvantage in not being able to re-quote? asked Mr 11. Walls. He had learned only the day previously that there was a British firm that produced the same instrument. That was right, agreed the chairman. The board had had two quotations from British houses. The clause in the report was adopted without further discussion. Later Mr Quelch announced that he had prepared a typed copy of the remarks ho had intended to make opposing the clause in the report. This copy he intended to send to the Minister.