§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds are to be closed by Shropshire health authority at Oswestry (Gobowen) orthopaedic hospital, and for what period of time; if he will make extra cash grants to the Shropshire health authority to enable it to keep the beds in use; how many orthopaedic surgery wards will shut and what service will be available, when beds are closed for paediatrics, rheumatology and spinal injuries; how many nursing posts are frozen; what is his estimate of the number of people from(a) Wales and (b) Clwyd treated at the hospital in Oswestry annually; what is his estimate of the impact of bed closures upon potential patients from Clwyd; how many Clwyd patients attended Oswestry hospital in 1986 and 1987; and if he will make a statement concerning bed closures as they affect patients from Clwyd seeking joint replacements.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Shropshire health authority is responsible for the services provided at Oswestry hospital. The hon. Member may therefore wish to write to the chairman of the Shropshire district health authority for the information he is seeking.