§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will encourage strategic health authorities to establish their headquarters as close to the balance of population in the area as possible. [42095]
§ Mr. HuttonThe location of headquarters for new strategic health authorities is a matter for the Chief Executive (designate) and the Chair (designate) in the light of options appraisals conducted at the same time as the boundary consultation exercise. The Department does not consider it necessary to offer specific advice to the leaders of the new StHAs on the location of their headquarters.