§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make extra funds available to enable the Clwyd health authority to resume operations for hip and knee joints; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristI understand that the Clwyd health authority will be continuing hip replacement operations at Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor at the same rate as they have been carried out so far this year. I am told that knee operations are customarily carried out at Gobowen for Clwyd residents. Whether or not Clwyd health authority carries out such operations in future is a matter for the authority to decide.
On the question of funding, I understand that the authority plans to submit a late bid under the 1987–88 414W waiting times initiative for funding the specialty of orthopaedics. Full consideration will be given to that bid when it is received.