§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consolations he has had with the chairman of the Gwent health authority concerning the commissioning of specialist legal advice by the health authority between 5 and 11 July; and when he was notified of the reasons for commissioning such advice; [38457]
(2) on how many occasions his special independent observer attended meetings of the working party of the non-executive directors of Gwent health authority considering the appointment of a senior manager in January 1996; how many meetings occurred in her absence; how many of these she was invited to attend; and what recommendation she has made to him. [38482]
§ Mr. HagueMy Department has been kept informed of the inquiry's progress, including the views of the independent adviser which are of necessity confidential. Information on her attendance at meetings is not held centrally. It is a matter for the authority to decide on the legal advice it requires, and I have had no discussions with the chairman.