HC Deb 17 January 1995 vol 252 c577
12. Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will visit Northumberland to discuss the financing of hospital services in the area.

Mr. Sackville

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State enjoyed her visit to Northumberland on 2 August 1994, but has no plans to visit again in the near future. I, however, would be happy to respond to an invitation from the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith).

Mr. Beith

Will the Minister follow up that kind offer and bring the Prime Minister with him? People in Northumberland are extremely baffled as to why, since the Secretary of State's visit, the Cheviot and Wansbeck hospital trust has lost more than £1 million in its first year of operation. Can the Minister give a guarantee to back up the undertaking given by the regional chairman to the effect that, whatever the cause of that enormous cash shortfall, it will not impair hospital services in Berwick, Alnwick or Rothbury? Will the Minister take steps to ensure that that does not happen?

Mr. Sackville

I understand that last week the right hon. Gentleman and other parliamentary colleagues had a constructive meeting with the regional chairman at which they received that very assurance.

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