§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to prevent the Yorkshire regional health authority from proceeding with its inquiry into the management of Wakefield district health authority; and if he will establish an independent public inquiry in its stead.
§ Mr. NewtonNo. Where problems occur within a district health authority our expectation is that matters will be settled locally by the authority putting its own house in order. If the DHA concerned proves to be unable to resolve its problems internally the regional health authority, as the next management tier, and the one to which the district is accountable, has a duty to act. I therefore support the decison of the RHA to establish its own inquiry.