§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will now announce the numbers of health boards to be set up under the Health Service (Scotland) Act 1972;
(2) if he will now announce the areas to be covered by health boards to be constituted under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1972;
(3) if he will now announce the membership of the area health boards to be appointed under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1972.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI have already announced the names of the chairmen of the proposed health boards. The next step will be the formal definition of the 15 health board areas. The necessary order will be made soon; as I made clear to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs (Mr. Gourlay) on 20th March, it will include provision for a Fife health board. I expect to be able to make the first announcements about health board membership in April.