§ Mr. Roger KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has of pressure being put on employees against participating in the formation of NHS trusts.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMy right hon. Friend has written recently to the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Kinnock) about a letter issued by the hon. Members for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Nellist) and Coventry, North-East (Mr. Hughes), to the manager of a hospital which is in the process of applying for NHS trust status. The letter effectively threatened him with dismissal unless he agreed to withdraw the application. I am pleased to say that the right hon. Member for Islwyn dissociated himself from these bullying tactics and I hope that the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) will do likewise.
§ Mr. David MartinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his assessment of how NHS trusts will improve the local nature of the health service.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNHS trusts will be better able to respond to patients' needs through greater freedoms and flexibility. They will also encourage greater local involvement and pride.
§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress towards establishment of NHS trust hospitals.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Feltham and Heston (Mr. Ground) earlier today.