§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe on 6 February about beds for chest patients at Wythenshawe hospital, and the letter on this matter sent to the right hon. Member by the chairman of the North-Western regional health authority on 13 March, which says that staffing and supporting services in respect of cardiac surgery and cardiology require development, what action he will be taking to vouchsafe this development;
(2) pursuant to the reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe on 6 February about beds for chest patients at Wythenshawe hospital and the letter on this matter sent to the right hon. Member by the chairman 281W of the North-Western regional health authority on 13 March, whether he will now ensure that there are no ward closures affecting beds available for chest patients in the north-western region.
§ Mr. John PattenIn 1984–85 North-Western regional health authority will receive an above average growth in resources of 1.3 per cent. I understand that the regional health authority, when considering priorities for 1984–85, will be giving particular attention to the needs of chest and cardiac patients at Wythenshawe hospital.