HC Deb 16 May 1990 vol 172 cc415-6W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision he is making in the reorganisation of the National Health Service for the maintenance of specialist hospitals; and whether he will make special funding available.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals will retain their current status and their specialist teaching, research and service roles. They will, of course, be able to apply for NHS trust status if they wish. The Government intend that the funding of these institutions will continue to enable them to carry out their valuable teaching and research activities.