§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what would be the cost of transferring the design installation and maintenance of equipment from regional health authorities to area health authorities;
(2) if she is considering transferring design engineer work from regional health authorities to area health authorities; and, if so, when.
§ Dr. OwenI have no plans at present to alter existing directions under which maintenance work on NHS property, including plant and equipment, is largely the responsibility of area health authorities and under which regional health authorities can delegate building and engineering schemes to area health authorities, notifying them of the agency they are to use for the design of the work, whether by regional or area staff, or by other means. No meaningful estimate is available of the cost involved in transferring the responsibility for design of equipment to area health authorities. Installation of new equipment will usually be carried out by contractors.