asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what instructions he has given to health authorities on sub-regional provision of neonatal intensive care, in the light of the third report of the maternity services advisory committee;(2) whether he has instructed health authorities to regard as minimum standards the ratios for midwifery and nursing staffing of neonatal units recommended in paragraph 8·7 of the third report of the maternity services advisory committee.

We have welcomed the maternity services advisory committee's third report and have asked health authorities to decide, in the light of its advice, what action can and should be taken at regional and district levels to improve the provision of maternity and neonatal services, including provision for neonatal intensive care. We expect authorities to take the committee's advice into account when planning, monitoring and reviewing services and staffing levels.