asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given to health authorities over the importance of small rural hospitals, such as Okehampton Hospital, being kept open.

The recently published statement on priorities "The Way Forward" confirms the strategy of having smaller local hospitals, fulfilling the function of community hospitals, to complement the service provided by district general hospitals. The strategy requires rationalisation measures whereby some hospitals will be closed or changed in use, and others developed. The emphasis on the policy is on the need for flexible and practical solutions agreed locally.