§ Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what advice was given by his Department to regional health authorities, in drawing up their consultation documents for district health authorities, as to what relative weight should be attached to coterminosity and to other factors; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if it remains Government policy that in drawing up the boundaries of district health authorities conterminosity with local authorities will not be regarded as the paramount consideration.
§ Sir George YoungOur guidance to regional health authorities was set out in paragraphs 3–5 of circular HC(80)8, issued in July. This made it clear that, unless there are powerful reasons to the contrary, new district health authority boundaries should follow the boundaries of existing health districts or single district areas. The boundaries of one or more district health authorities should, therefore, in most cases be coterminous with the boundary of a social services or education authority, but coterminosity is only one of a number of factors to be taken into account.