§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last issued guidance to health authorities in England and Wales with regard to public consultation procedures. [124619]
582W
§ Mr. DenhamGuidance on the process and legal requirement for consultation on substantial variations in service was issued in 1990. The legal requirement has not changed but we plan to issue more comprehensive guidance on public consultation procedures later in the year. We are presently consulting on a draft. Colleagues 583W in the Welsh Assembly are aware of this work. It is for them to decide whether or not they wish to produce similar guidance for their health authorities.