§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Lord President of the Council what will be the rôle of area health authorities in Wales after the establishment of the Welsh National Assembly.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThe Welsh Assembly will take over the Government's statutory powers relating to health services in Wales. Area health authorities will be financed by and accountable to the Assembly, which will appoint their members. If the Assembly so wishes the Secretary of State will be able to make an Order vesting the functions of area health authorities in the Assembly itself. It follows that the future rôle of area health authorities will be very largely for the Assembly to decide within the devolved powers and cannot be predicted now.