§ Mr. J. Morrisonasked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to announce his decision on the proposal to set up a separate regional board for the western area of the South-West Metropolitan Hospital Region.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes. Consultation of the bodies concerned has shown that the great majority of opinion supports the proposal of the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board for a separate hospital region and board for this area, and I have decided to accept it in principle. But in the present financial circumstances I do not consider it justifiable to incur the additional costs of administration which would inevitably be involved in the creation of a new board, and I am therefore deferring action until a more appropriate time.