§ Mr. Bulmerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further decision he is able to announce about the future administrative structure for health services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanI am pleased to be able to announce that my right hon. Friend has made decisions on the recommendations of the West Midlands regional health authority for restructuring the National Health Service in that region. Subject to the necessary order being made in due course, the following district health authorities will be established and will come into being on 1 April 1982:
Resident population Dudley 297,000 Shropshire 366,000 Sandwell 310,000 Walsall 266,000 Wolverhampton 260,000 Herefordshire 147,000 Worcester and District 223,000 Kidderminster and District 100,000 Bromsgrove and Redditch 142,000 North Warwickshire 169,000 South Warwickshire 215,000 Rugby 86,000 Coventry 340,000 North Staffordshire 469,000 Mid Staffordshire 290,000 South East Staffordshire 238,000 Solihull 198,000 East Birmingham 220,000 North Birmingham 163,000 Central Birmingham 185,000 South Birmingham 257,000 West Birmingham 220,000 As a result of these changes, the present 11 area authorities and 22 districts will be reduced to 22 new district authorities.