§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation she intends to undertake, pursuant to her oral statement of 21 October,Official Report, columns 398–400, on proposals to reduce the number of regional health authorities from 14 to eight from 1 April 1994.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyA consultation document has been published setting out my proposals to determine new national health service regions and to establish eight new regional health authorities to replace the existing 14. The consultation document is being sent to all Members of Parliament, NHS bodies, community health councils, local authorities, health service trade unions and other interested organisations. Copies will also be placed in the Library. The consultation document invites views on the proposals by 15 January 1994.