§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) health authorities and (b) trusts were in existence in Northern Ireland on 1 April; and what is his forecast of the number on 1 April 1994.
§ Mr. AncramOn 1 April there were in existence in Northern Ireland four health and social services boards and six HSS trusts and I do not expect there to be any change in the number of authorities purchasing services on behalf of their resident populations by 1 April 1994. However an additional four units have already been approved for trust status and it is intended that they, together with any units which make successful applications in the current third round, will be established to come into operation on 1 April 1994 when necessary changes to the law have been made.