§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Health Advisory Council working group on the provision of health services to remote and island areas will extend its deadline for submissions beyond 31 January; and whether it intends to seek submissions from local health councils.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 11 February 1992]: Evidence was requested on behalf of the working group in a letter sent on 3 December 1991 to a number of statutory bodies and organisations, including the Association of Scottish Local Health Councils. The letter asked for responses by 31 January 1992, and requested recipients foreseeing difficulty in meeting this deadline to advise the group's secretary accordingly.
The association is currently undertaking consultation with local health councils and hopes to submit evidence to the group by the end of March, or failing that, by the end of April.
In addition to the collection of written evidence, the group plans to visit the areas covered by its remit, including the Western Isles. The visit programmes will include both formal meetings with representatives of the health service and open sessions for members of the local community.