asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals her Department is considering to remedy the hospital deficiencies in Walsall as outlined in the West Midlands Regional Health Authority's "Strategy for Health" 1976 to 1986, which refers to a bed deficiency of 187, a maternity deficiency of 48, a geriatric deficiency of 66 and a mental illness deficiency of 136.

The West Midlands Regional Health Authority is considering regional priorities in the light of comments received on its consultative document "Strategy for Health 1976–86". It is, therefore, too early to indicate the regional priority of developments at Walsall and no specific proposals have yet been submitted to my right hon. Friend.