asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what trade unions have written to his Department objecting to the proposed closure of Liverpool hospitals; and if he will list the hospitals concerned.

Since 1 January 1980, three such letters have been received. One, from the general secretary of the Confederation of Health Service Employees, objected in general terms to hospital closures in the city. The others, from the secretaries of a hospital branch and a public transport branch of the Transport and General Workers Union, referred specifically to the Royal Liverpool children's hospital in Myrtle Street.