§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what brief has been given to Touche Ross regarding a merger of North Devon, Torbay and Exeter health authorities; on what date this survey was commissioned; and by what date it will report.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI understand that South Western regional health authority has commissioned Touche Ross to conduct a preliminary examination of the case for mergers between health authorities in Devon. My hon. Friend may wish to contact Mr. Charles Stuart, the chairman of South Western regional health authority for details.
§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it his policy not to approve formally any merger between Torbay and North Devon health authorities without prior consultation with the right hon. and hon. Members representing the county;
(2) pursuant to his answer of 28 February, what is the timetable for any regional decision, consultation and formal approval for any merger between Exeter, Torbay and North Devon health authorities.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI understand that South Western regional health authority is still considering whether to propose any amalgamation of health authorities in Devon. Should it decide to do so, it would formally consult all interested parties, including right hon. and hon. Members representing the county. The regional health authority would consider the responses before deciding whether to recommend any amalgamation of Devon health authorities to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State.