§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all of the investigations presently being carried out in relation to the West Midlands regional health authority; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Department of Health and the statutory auditor are currently investigating loans made by West Midlands regional health authority to a charitable company, Health Management Trust, to assist a subsidiary company, FIP Ltd. I am also aware that the auditor is conducting a review of West Midlands regional health authority's management of Healthtrac and the management buy-out of the management services information division by Qa Business Services.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish details of the section 20(3) report issued recently in relation to the West Midlands regional health authority by the district auditor; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyWe will consider publication when our inquiries into the specific points raised by the report are complete.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to improve the management of the West Midlands regional health authority; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyOur priorities for the west midlands, which are shared with the West Midlands regional health authority, are to improve the health of the local population and to ensure that services are efficient and effective, underpinned by managerial and financial systems of the highest possible standards. Important changes have taken place in recent weeks to improve the management of the regional organisation, and I am confident that Sir Donald Wilson, the new regional chairman, will provide a strong lead on the challenging agenda ahead.