§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of Stale for Wales how many meetings he has had with the health authorities of Wales to discuss their financial difficulties; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristMy right hon. Friend and I discussed the financial difficulties of Gwynedd health authority and its plans for resolving them with the chairman and general manager of the authority on 1 August. In addition, our officials have undertaken a series of annual review meetings with all authorities in recent months at which their financial positions have been reviewed. Health authorities have a statutory duty to contain expenditure within their notified cash resources, and we are content that they will do so.