asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures she has taken in the last 12 months to (a) reduce the waiting lists and (b) the waiting time of children waiting for cardiac catheterisation or major heart surgery in the North-West and Liverpool; if she is satisfied with progress; what further measures she intends to take; and if she will make a statement.

My Department, in consultation with the professions, is considering future national strategy in this speciality. In the North-West, officers of the Mersey and North-Western Regional Health Authorities have also been studying the question of provision for children suffering from heart disorders in the two regions. Measures taken to reduce waiting lists and waiting times at the hospitals concerned include additional operating sessions at both the Royal Liverpool and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospitals and the referral of patients to hospitals in London and elsewhere.In consequence there has been some reduction in waiting times. There is still