§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle under Lyme on 2 February, Official Report, c. 336, if he will request the health services information steering group to examine the effect upon efficiency at headquarters level resulting from his Department failing to keep waiting list times.
§ Mr. John PattenThe steering group on health services information has already submitted to my right hon. Friend its recommendations on the information needed by district health authorities, regional health authorities and the Department about demand for hospital facilities, including waiting times. Decisions on these and the steering group's many other recommendations will be taken as soon as possible.