§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the criteria were for the selection of NHS trusts announced on 25 May 2000 in the project to provide access to digital hearing aids; and what the criteria will be for the selection of those which were the subject of his press release on Christmas Eve 2001. [25995]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 11 January 2002]: National health service trusts were invited to be part of the project on the basis of geographical spread, preparedness to Modernise, and the commitment of the local health community to the aims of the project. The criteria for selection for the next wave have yet to be determined.