§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department lays down any guidelines to health authorities in Wales on the minimum requirements to be contained in consultation documents issued to the public on proposed hospital closures in their area; whether such documents are discussed with his Department before being published; and whether, in cases where such 547W documents are found to be faulty, misleading or inadequate, he will insist on further consultation before coming to his own decision on proposed hospital closures.
§ Mr. GristGuidelines for the content of consultation documents in respect of proposed hospital closures are set out in Health Service planning paper 5, "Procedure for Consultation on the Closure and Change of Use of Health Buildings". I am placing a copy in the Library of the House. There is no requirement to discuss consultation documents with the Welsh Office before publication. If my right hon. Friend considered such a document to be faulty, misleading or inadequate in a way that might be prejudicial to proper consultation, it is likely that further consultation would be required.