asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that community health councils adequately reflect local public opinion; and if he will make a statement.

The question whether community health councils should be retained in a revised Health Service structure is one on which we have invited views in our consultative document, " Patients First". Comments on this were asked for by 30 April; in coming to a decision on whether the councils should continue we shall also be considering whether, if they do, there is a need to modify their present role and constitution.