§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will set out her reserve powers to override the decisions of hospital trust management.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe powers of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to make directions to national health service trusts are laid down in the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, schedule 2, paragraph 6.(1) and 6.(2). These powers will not be used routinely, and only under the most exceptional circumstances will there be any intervention in trusts' affairs.