HC Deb 21 January 1997 vol 288 c592W
Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the letter from the hon. Member for Harrow, East sent to him on 6 December, if he will invoke his powers under National Health Service Acts to secure from the Barnet district health authority an extension of the range of emergency services available at Edgware general hospital, in accordance with the terms of his written undertaking to the hon. Members for Hendon, North (Sir J. Gorst) and for Harrow, East submitted on 11 June; and if he will place a copy of this letter in the Library. [10537]

Mr. Dorrell

I do not intend to publish private and confidential correspondence between myself and hon. Members; I have no intention of using my reserve powers under the National Health Service Acts in respect of current proposals for Edgware hospital; I believe that the decisions reached by Barnet health authority at a meeting on 25 September 1996 reflect the real commitment of the NHS to respond to the concerns of the people of Edgware.