Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to announce his decisions on tranches 2 and 3 of the acute hospital reorganisation project; and if he will make a statement. [18760]
§ Mr. MossThe position with regard to tranche 2 is that following receipt of the recommendations from the project steering group additional work had to be undertaken in relation to the recommendation on maternity services. This is now complete and I hope to make an announcement on all aspects of tranche 2 in the near future.
Following consultations on tranche 3, the steering group put recommendations to me on 29 November 1996. I, in turn, consulted relevant bodies, inviting comments by mid-February. I will be considering these shortly and will announce my decisions soon afterwards.