asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the fact that Salop area health authority has the longest general surgical waiting list in the West Midlands and that the Royal Shrewsbury hospital has operating theatre capacity for six consultant surgeons, he will authorise the appointment of a sixth surgeon, thereby ensuring that the present waiting list does not lengthen still further.

The Department approved an additional consultant post in general surgery in 1977. It is for the West Midlands regional health authority, in consultation with the Salop area health authority, to make this appointment, and my hon. Friend may like to consult the authorities concerned.