§ 8. Julie Morgan (Cardiff, North)What recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly on the health service in Wales. [4198]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Don Touhig)My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet the National Assembly First Minister and the Minister for Health and Social Services to discuss the national health service in Wales.
§ Julie MorganI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. He is aware of the plan to phase out health authorities in Wales by 2003 and to give additional powers to local health groups. Will he assure me that the legislation will be in place by 2003 to enable that to happen, so that the layer of bureaucracy can be removed and there can be a further reduction in the quango state and more money for patient care?
§ Mr. TouhigI know that my hon. Friend is a staunch advocate of the NHS. I can tell her that discussions are on-going about the proposed content of the Welsh health Bill. In addition, discussions are currently taking place between my officials, officials from the Department of Health and the Assembly on time-critical elements that we hope may be included in the NHS reform and decentralisation Bill. Unfortunately, I cannot tell my hon. Friend that the legislation will be on the statute book by the date that she says, because that is a matter for the House to determine when the Government announce their legislative programme, but I can tell her that we are working towards that end.