HC Deb 28 October 1988 vol 139 cc442-3W
Ms. Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish any expert advice received by him in respect of the St. Thomas cyclotron.

Mrs. Currie

No. Successive Governments have accepted that the advice of officials to Ministers is given in confidence.

Ms. Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the procedures specified in the Department of Health's option appraisal were followed in the purchase of medical equipment when making the decision on the St. Thomas cyclotron.

Mrs. Currie

No. These procedures apply to proposals from health authorities. The decision mentioned related to an application for a grant from a charitable trust.