§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the representations his Department has received regarding the future of Meigle cottage hospital.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 31 January 1994]: Since March 1991, the Scottish Office Home and Health Department has received 37 letters from 29 individuals regarding the future of Meigle cottage hospital.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what details of population growth for the Blairgowrie cottage hospital and the Meigle cottage hospital which were used to determine the hospital needs for both these catchment areas.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 31 January 1994]: Tayside health board has responsibility to assess the needs of the local population and to obtain appropriate services to meet these needs. In doing so, it takes into account a wide range of factors including predicted changes in the size and composition of the local population. In the particular case of Meigle and Blairgowrie, I understand that the health board used the population projections of the General Registrar's office.