§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is now in a position to make a statement about the civilian use of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich.
§ Mr. MoyleLast autumn I asked the Greenwich and Bexley Area Health Authority to construct a plan for future services in its area on the basis that 140–150 beds in the Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital should be used for National Health Service patients. I have now withdrawn this request following representations from the area health authority about the effect this would have on local plans for rationalisation of services. I am consulting my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Defence about the 245W extent to which facilities at the military hospital might realistically be used by National Health Service patients.