asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultation there was with his Department about the method of advertising of the post of emergency beds service administrator of the south-east Thames regional health authority before the post was filled; whether his Department was consulted about the appointment to the post of Mr. John Cross; and whether he will make a statement.

The appointment of the administrator of the London emergency bed service is a matter for the South-East Thames regional health authority about which we would not normally expect to be consulted.I understand that the chairman of South-East Thames regional health authority has recently written to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) making it clear that this appointment has no untoward implications for the future of the service.