Mr. HincliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors determine whether she would intervene in the proposals of an individual health authority with regard to future health provision at local level. [16347]
§ Mr. MaloneIt is for health authorities to determine health provision for their area taking account of local needs. Normally, Ministers are involved only in cases where, following consultation by the health authority, plans to close or significantly change the use of health service facilities are contested by the community health council.