asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations she has received from community health councils alleging the failure of area health authorities to consult, or supply information to, community health councils, or any other failure to fulfil obligations towards community health councils under the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973 and the subsequent regulations; and if she will list the community health councils and area health authorities concerned, and indicate the grounds of the representations.

The detailed information requested is not immediately available. I am not aware that area health authorities generally are failing to respond reasonably to requests for information from community health councils or to consult community health councils. I have, however, received representations from a small number of individual community health councils, and I will write to the hon. Member giving the information he requires.