§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will call for an immediate report from the Leicestershire health authority on the reasons for the temporary closure of the maternity unit at the Rutland 568W memorial hospital in Oakham; and whether he will seek to ensure that it reopens very shortly and is adequately staffed to remain open on a permanent basis.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeLeicestershire health authority is responsible for day-to-day management decisions in its district and is allowed to decide on temporary closure of units without reference to Ministers. I am advised that the authority has had difficulty in recruiting midwives for this unit and, when a crisis arose as a result of sickness and maternity leave, it decided to close for a short period as it could not provide full nursing cover. I understand that it is now preparing to re-open the unit and I see no reason for me to intervene.