§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will be able to clarify the Government's policy towards small hospitals which provide a vital service in the rural districts, in view of the uncertainty which surrounds their future and particularly that of the cottage hospital at Wells-next-the-Sea.
§ Sir K. JosephI understand from the East Anglian Regional Hospital Board that it has no plans for closing Wells and District Cottage Hospital in the foreseeable future. I hope to make a statement on the policy soon.