§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations were undertaken with local authorities before the decision was made for the strategic health authority for North and East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire to be established in York. [38332]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 28 February 2002]: A project team, made up of representatives of the local health economy, set up to establish the strategic health authority for North and East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, commissioned an independent appraisal into the location of the headquarters of the new health authority. No consultations were undertaken with local authorities during the option appraisal process. However, local authorities were informed that the option appraisal recommended that York Science Park was the preferred location. This recommendation is to be discussed at the next meting of the shadow board of the North and East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire strategic health authority on 20 March 2002. here representations from local authorities will be considered.