§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what consultations have taken place with interested parties, following the proposals to close hospitals in central Liverpool;
(2) what representations he has received from the Liverpool Health 81W Executive regarding the proposed reduction in hospital beds in the central area of Liverpool; and what reply he has sent;
(3) what representations he has received from the Liverpool Trades Council and trade unions with members employed in the hospital service regarding the proposal to reduce hospital beds in central Liverpool: and if he will make a statement;
(4) what representations he has received from the Liverpool Corporation regarding the proposed closure of hospital beds in central Liverpool; and what reply he has sent;
(5) if he is satisfied with the proposals of the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board to reduce hospital beds in central Liverpool; and if he will make a statement:
(6) if he will publish in the Official Report the list of objections to the proposed reduction of hospital beds in central Liverpool;
(7) if he will meet a joint deputation consisting of members of the Liverpool City Council, trade unions with members employed in the National Health Service, the Liverpool Health Service Executive, and representatives of general practitioners regarding the proposals of the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board to reduce hospital beds in central Liverpool;
(8) if he anticipates any redundancies following the proposed closure of several hospitals in central Liverpool;
(9) if he is satisfied with the hospital cover given to the Liverpool docks, following the proposed closure of the David Lewis Northern Hospital and the Royal South end Hospital; and if he will make a statement;
(10) what is the average waiting time for beds in hospitals which are due to be closed in central Liverpool;
(11) what is the present waiting list in the respective hospitals which are due to be closed in central Liverpool.
§ Sir K. JosephThe regional hospital board and the board of governors of the United Liverpool Hospitals are engaged in formal consultations with all appropriate local bodies on the boards' proposals for the reorganisation of hospital services in south and central Liverpool.82W Under established procedure the boards are required to forward to me formal proposals based on the results of these consultations and including any representations which have been received. Until I receive this submission from the boards I am unable to supply the information requested by the hon. Member regarding the effect of the proposals on specified hospitals and the nature of the representations received. I should be prepared to consider receiving a deputation representing local interests before making a final decision on the boards' proposals.