§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information on opting out or indication of interest in opting out under the terms of his White Paper "Putting Patients First", has been required from hospitals in the south west region by 8 May; what is the significance of this date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe chief executive of the NHS management hoard wrote to all regional general managers on 14 March about the preparation of expressions of interest in self-governing hospital status. A copy of the letter (reference: EL(89)MB/58) has been placed in the Library. Regional returns are to be made to the Department by 31 May; expressions of interest are to reach RHAs by 8 May to give them time to comment.
Number of Estimates Scheduled (England and Wales) Quarter 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1st. 8,198,837 8,363,883 8,153,035 8,494,306 9,183,731 2nd. 8,000,376 8,692,834 8,615,213 8,378,456 — 3rd. 8,564,944 8,075,163 8,623,781 9,112,402 — 4th. 8,286,568 8,933,076 8,467,152 9,481,178 — 33,050,725 34,064,956 33,859,181 35,466,342