asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, since the lack of a decision about the closure of St. Wulstan's Hospital, Malvern, is now causing problems of morale amongst patients and staff, she will ask the health authorities to expedite their proposals; and when she expects to make a final decision about its future.

While uncertainty about the future of St. Wulstan's inevitably causes anxiety, the West Midlands Regional Health Authority must give careful consideration to all the implications before deciding whether to begin closure proceedings. Officers of the authority will complete their assessment as soon as possible, but it is too early to say when the matter will be formally considered by the authority, or when a final decision will be taken.