§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations have taken place on the membership of, and appointments to, community health councils in Wales. [79884]
§ Mr. MichaelMembers of the Community Health Councils (CHCs) whose terms of appointment were due to expire on 31 March 1999 have had their terms extended for one year in advance of the transfer of powers as this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly from 1 July. I announced proposals to develop a new and reinvigorated model of federated Community Health Councils on 15 March with a network of 28 Councils across Wales based on federations linked mainly to local authority areas.
I intend to meet representatives of CHCs to discuss the implementation of these proposals.