HC Deb 16 June 1988 vol 135 cc205-6W
Mr. Bill Walker

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received the report on the Scottish health authorities review of priorities for the eighties and nineties; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

On 16 May my right hon. and learned Friend received a copy of the SHARPEN report from the Scottish Health Service Planning Council together with advice, in the form of a foreword to the report, endorsing the priorities identified by the working party and indicating a number of reservations about the recommendations made. Copies of the planning council's advice have been placed in the Library. Close consideration will be given to the report's recommendations and to the planning council's advice. I envisage that the report will be published in due course, together with the council chairman's foreword and an indication of the Government's response.