§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he is considering for the future management and financing of the 52 regional and area laboratories of the public health laboratory service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenA review of the public health laboratory service board has been carried out under the normal accountability arrangements for non-departmental public bodies. We will issue a report of the review for consultation in the near future and arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library. We will consider the report's recommendations in the light of that consultation.