§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy towards the retention of the existing community health councils when new health authorities are being established.
§ Mr. DorrellWhen two or more existing district health authorities are being merged, there will in future be no automatic expectation that the matching community health councils—CHCs—should also merge. It will be for regional health authorities to ensure after consultation, that CHCs are organised in a way that allows them to carry out their duties economically and effectively.