§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why a letter dated 19th September from Mr. J. R. Watkins of his Department contradicted a Minister's undertaking to the House of Commons on 25th July 1973 that it would be for the area health authority, when appointed, to propose health district arrangements for the Manchester area;
539W(2) why a letter dated 19th September from Mr. J. R. Watkins of his Department contradicted a statement, further to a parliamentary reply, made by the Undersecretary to the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, that it would be for the area health authority, when appointed, to decide the issue of health district arrangements for Manchester.
§ Sir K. JosephThe letter from my Department of 19th September set out the reasons which led me to decide, with reluctance, that the timetable for the implementation of NHS reorganisation on 1st April 1974 did not permit area health authorities and regional health authorities to give full consideration to district proposals, and that instead I should settle the initial pattern of districts for April 1974, subject to later review. There had, however, in the period since February 1973 when my Department issued guidance on the principles for defining districts, been the fullest possible consultation locally and between joint liaison committees representative of all existing authorities and other interested parties including the Department, and in the vast majority of cases this had led to local agreement on the district pattern. In a small number of cases where my decision did not accord with the wishes of all the local interests I considered it probable that whatever the decision full local agreement would not have been reached. In the light of adequate experience from next year onwards the new health authorities will be free to propose changes in the pattern of health districts for my approval.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations he has received from the Lord Mayor of Manchester regarding the number of health districts in Manchester; and what reply he has made;
(2) what further representations he has received asking that Manchester should be divided into four health districts; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will now accede to the area health authority's representations asking for Manchester to be divided into four health districts in accordance with an undertaking in the Under-Secretary's letter to the hon. Member for Manchester, 540W Wythenshawe; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephSince the letter of 19th September notifying my decision regarding the number of health districts in Manchester I have received letters from the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks), the Lord Mayor of Manchester and the chairman of the area health authority. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary is to receive a deputation from the area health authority on 29th October.