§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet been consulted on the proposed closure of St. Columba's hospital, Hampstead; and if he will refuse consent for such closure until proper public consultation has taken place.
§ Mr. MoyleI understand that the area health authority (teaching)'s proposal is for the temporary closure of its hospital.504W Health authorities are permitted to close hospitals temporarily without reference to ministers. If a health authority subsequently decided that a hospital should be permanently closed, formal consultations would be required. Only at that stage, if the community health council disagreed with the health authority's decision would the matter be referred to Ministers.