§ Mr. BatesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to reorganise the regional offices of the national health service; what criteria will be applied to potential locations in the north-eastern region.
§ Dr. MawhinneyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in her statement on managing the NHS on 21 October 1993 her intention to abolish regional health authorities and reorganise the National Health Service Management Executive to include eight regional offices. As a first step towards the new structure she has decided, following consultation, to reduce the number of regional health authorities from 14 to eight, creating common boundaries with the regional offices. Decisions regarding the location of the new regional offices have yet to be reached.