§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether, in view of the fact that Bassetlaw is a coal mining area with a high rate of emergency accidents, he will give priority to the opening of the emergency department in the new district hospital;
(2) why the accident and emergency departments of the Kilton district hospital will not be opening on the estimated completion date for the hospital in 1982.
§ Sir George YoungWithin national and regional guidelines, it is for health authorities locally to determine their own priorities within the resources available. The hon. Member may wish to seek further information from Nottinghamshire area health authority (teaching), which is also the authority responsible for determining how soon after completion it will be possible to bring the accident and emergency department into use.