§ Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if she is yet in a position to say whether the views of the Hertfordshire Area Health Authority in relation to the proposed closure of the maternity unit at the Hertfordshire and Essex Hospital have been transmitted to the North-East Thames Regional Health Authority; and, if so, what was the effect thereof;
(2) if she will indicate the nature and effect of the consideration given by the Hertfordshire Area Health Authority to the East Hertfordshire Community Health Council in respect of the proposed closure of the maternity unit at the Hertfordshire and Essex Hospital and specify the date or dates of the 46W meeting or meetings of the said authority at which such consideration was given.
§ Dr. OwenRepresentatives of Hertfordshire Area Health Authority and of East Hertfordshire Community Health Council will be meeting on 11th November to consider the views of that council on the proposed closure of the maternity unit. The area health authority will then submit its views through Essex Area Health Authority to the North-East Thames Regional Health Authority.