asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the accident unit at Newmarket Hospital is closed between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m.

The opening hours of the accident and emergency department at Newmarket Hospital is primarily a matter for the Suffolk Area Health Authority. In 1975 it was found by the area health authority that a safe and satisfactory accident service could no longer be maintained at Newmarket Hospital on a 24-hour, seven days a week basis. Following consultation with the Bury St. Edmunds Health District Community Health Council and other interested parties the AHA decided to provide a Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. service. I understand that the service continues to function on this basis and caters for the majority of cases which would normally be taken there. In the hours when the department is closed full accident and emergency cover is provided by Addenbrooke's Hospital at Cambridge and the West Suffolk Hospital at Bury St. Edmunds.