§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on how many occasions his Department has discussed a MRI scanner in Walsall with the New Opportunities Fund; [112760]
(2) when his Department gave advice to the New Opportunities Fund over the provision of a MRI scanner in Walsall. [112759]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 2 March 2000]: During the months leading up to the announcement of funding from the New Opportunities Fund for cancer equipment in September 1999, there were numerous discussions between officials at the Department and the New Opportunities Fund about where equipment for cancer should be allocated. This built on discussions between officials within the Department and the National Health Service regional offices. This regular and ongoing dialogue will have included discussions about the possibility of funding an MRI scanner in Walsall.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Health who makes the final decision on whether finances would be available for a MRI scanner in Walsall. [112758]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 2 March 2000]: The final decisions on whether finances would be available for a MRI scanner in Walsall were made by the Board of the New Opportunities Fund, based on the advice they received from the Department. This will have followed discussions between officials within the Department and the West Midlands Regional Office.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if the petition handed in to the New Opportunities Fund on 16 February for an MRI scanner in Walsall has been received by his Department. [112821]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 3 March 2000]: The petition handed into the New Opportunities Fund on 16 February was, on that same day, passed by the Chief Executive of the New Opportunities Fund, Stephen Dunmore, to the Department.