§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give details of the responsibilities transferred by statutory instrument from the former medical officers of health to the health authorities on the occasions of health and local government reorganisation in respect of medical screening and examinations of local authority staff and applicants; and which such services are provided free of charge.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe exact responsibilities of the national health service for providing services to local authorities are not set out in statute. They are covered in general terms by the requirement in section 22 of the National Health Service Act 1977 that health and local authorities must co-operate in order to secure and advance the health and welfare of their residents, and also in general guidance issued by the Department.