§ Mr. Spearmanasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that local concern has been caused by the decision of the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board to convert the Victoria Hospital, Barnet, into a maternity department for the Wellhouse Hospital, Barnet; and whether he will consider a petition against this decision signed by a number of local residents, as the regional board has refused to vary or suspend its decision.
§ Mr. BevanIf a petition is sent to me I will certainly consider it. But I think it would be more appropriate if, in the first place, it was addressed to the regional hospital board, who have delegated powers for the planning and development of hospital services in their area, which do not require them to obtain my approval before they make changes in the use of particular hospitals.