§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now withdraw his proposal to end central funding of the publication "Community Health Council News" and continue free distribution of the paper to community health councils; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) today.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the withdrawal of central funding for "CHC News"; what replies he has sent; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergRepresentations have been received from four hon. Members, the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales, and three individual community health councils, all in support of continued central funding for "CHC News" and the associated information service. We have considered these carefully, but in our view it would be more appropriate for CHCs as independent statutory bodies to fund services such as these through their own budgets. The Department is discussing with officers of the association how the transition from central to subscription funding might best be made.