§ Mr. CanavanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will instruct Forth Valley health board to extend beyond 8 February the period for consultation on the board's proposal to close Lochgreen hospital;
(2) if he will instruct Fort Valley health board to hold a public meeting as part of the consultation process on the board's proposal to close Lochgreen hospital.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe three-month public consultation on the closure of Lochgreen hospital was originally due to finish on 11 January. Forth Valley health board extended the period to finish on 8 February in response to a request from Central regional council and has no plans to extend the period further.
The Scottish Office guidance on closure and change of use of health service premises published in June 1975 sets out the procedure which health boards must follow when proposing to close a hospital. It is a matter for the health board concerned to decide whether to hold public meetings.