§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales from whom he intends to seek strategic advice on health matters after the reorganisation of the National Health Service in Wales.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper "National Health Service Reorganisation in Wales" (Cmnd. 5057) and in particular to paragraphs 36, 37, 38 and 46.
§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the local authorities before publishing his proposals for reorganising the National Health Service in Wales;
(2) what consultations he has had with the Health Executive Council for Wales prior to publishing the White Paper on "National Health Service Reorganisation in Wales".
§ Mr. Peter ThomasLocal authority associations and associations representing executive councils in Wales were consulted on the proposals contained in my consultative document "National Health Service Reorganisation in Wales" published in June, 1971. Their comments and those of a number of other organisa-272W tions, authorities and individuals, amounting to about 120 in all, were taken fully into account when I formulated my proposals.
§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the differences between the proposals for reorganising the National Health Service in England, and in Wales.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe principal difference is the absence of a proposed regional tier of authority in Wales. Most other differences which arise are consequential upon this.
§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will delay the reorganisation of the National Health Service in Wales until the Crowther Report on the Constitution has been published.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNo.