§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what powers she holds to require a regional health authority to publish the reports it has commissioned into a district health authority;
(2) what powers she holds to require a regional health authority to publish reports it has commissioned from the Audit Commission.
§ Dr. MawhinneyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has power to give directions to regional health authorities concerning the functions that they discharge on her behalf. This would include the power to direct the publication of a report commissioned by an authority into its exercise of those functions.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 5 November,Official Report, column 348, to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield, if she will list the major reports commissioned from the Audit Commission or outside consultants in respect of the West Midlands health authority or its constituent districts which have (a) been completed and (b) been received in draft.
§ Dr. MawhinneyWest Midlands regional health authority referred the matter of its regional supplies organisation to its independent statutory auditor who reported in July 1992 under section 15 of the Local Government Finance Act 1982. The findings were published on 10 September 1992. The statutory auditor has also decided to carry out audits of West Midlands RHA on Healthtrac and the maangement buy-out of the Management Information Services Division by Qa Business Services. The timetable for completion of this work is a matter for the Audit Commission. Details of reports carried out by outside consultants on behalf of West Midlands RHA or its constituent districts are a matter for the RHA and the hon. Member may wish to contact Sir James Ackers, the chairman of West Midlands RHA, For details.