§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received about the proposed closure of the Pain Research Institute associated with Walton hospital, Liverpool; [12314]
(2) what assessment he has made of the value of the work carried out by the Pain Research Institute in Liverpool, with particular reference to the links between the institute and the pain clinic at Walton hospital; [12313]
(3) what action he (a) has taken and (b) proposes to take in order to assist in re-siting the Pain Research Institute to the Fazakerley hospital site in conjunction with the re-siting of Walton hospital there. [12315]
§ Mr. HoramMinisters have received five letters on this subject. The Department recognises the importance of the Pain Research Institute and its close ties with the Walton Neurosciences trust. Representatives of the National Health Service executive, Walton Neurosciences trust and Aintree Hospitals NHS trust met on 26 January to discuss the institute's accommodation requirements and options for financing the relocation.