asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what reductions in the plans for the increase in provision of maternity beds and units in the Leicestershire area are expected to result from a cut in funds available for such purposes;(2) what reductions in the number of maternity units, incubators and special care baby units have already been decided upon for the Leicestershire area.

Leicestershire area health authority (teaching) has no plans to reduce the existing level of maternity beds, incubators or cots in special care baby units in the area.The AHA(T) proposes to bring into use 62 new maternity beds and 17 special care baby unit cots at Leicester general hospital next month. These will replace the existing 55 beds and 17 cots at the hospital. The AHA(T) will decide in the light of available resources and other priority needs when the remaining 20 beds and 13 cots in the new unit should open.