§ 9. Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Wales what reliance will be placed by him in future upon advice on health questions from the Welsh Council.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI will continue to give very careful consideration to the views which the council may wish to express on health matters.
§ Mr. JohnIn essence, that is a repetition of what the right hon. and learned Gentleman said in his White Paper. Will he be frank and tell us that he has never placed any reliance on the Welsh Council for strategic advice on health matters because hitherto he has never had any such advice?
§ Mr. ThomasI am sure the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I am always frank with the House. As to his suggestion that I have never had any strategic advice from the Welsh Council, that is not right. I have not had a report from the Welsh Council but I am continually having formal and informal contacts with the council on various matters, including health. I look to the council for advice especially on the social and economic aspects of health policy.