§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates in the last six months she visited hospitals in Birmingham; and if she will give details of her visits.
§ Dr. MawhinneyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not visited any hospitals in Birmingham in the last six months. However, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State—my hon. Friend the Member for 91W Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville)—and I have visited hospitals in and around Birmingham on a number of occasions since July.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to make a decision regarding the proposal from the West Midlands regional health authority to close the accident and royal orthopaedic hospitals in Birmingham.
§ Dr. MawhinneyMy right hon. Friend has received proposals from the regional health authority to close the Accident and Royal Orthopaedic hospitals and transfer the services to the Birmingham general hospital. An announcement will be made once the consideration of the proposal is complete.