§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many maternity units have been closed since 1979, or are planned to close, in each health authority area in England.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe table shows the numbers of maternity units by regional health authority approved for closure between 1979 and 1986. It is important to note that closures may be offset or balanced by openings or reprovision elsewhere.
Number Northern 3 Yorkshire 9 Trent 10 East Anglian 6 North West Thames 4 North East Thames 7 South East Thames 2 South West Thames 3 Wessex 3 Oxford 1 South Western 5 West Midlands 4 Mersey 3 North Western 3 Figures of closures for 1987 should be available shortly. I regret that information regarding planned closures is not available centrally.