§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what directions she has given to regional health authorities, in respect of the release of information already collected by them in relation to the operation of the health service; and if she will make a statement;
(2) what guidance she has given on which tier of management should take responsibility for decisions on the release of information to hon. Members within regional and district health authorities; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyWe have issued no directions or formal guidance to health authorities on the release of information to hon. Members. The patients charter however has set out important new commitments to publishing information. Beyond that, national health service authorities are responsible for deciding whether any further information should be made public.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her statement in respect of access to information by hon. Members of 26 January,Official Report, column 903, what directions she has given to the Yorkshire regional health authority to provide information already collected by that region in respect of statistical data relating to the normal operation of the health service within the Yorkshire region; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNone. Provisional waiting time information is collected for management purposes and is published on a quarterly basis. Provisional waiting list figures for 31 December 1992 were published on 9 February in press release H93/547 a copy of which is available in the Library.