asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last upheld the objection of a community health council to the closure of a hospital since 1979; and if he will list those occasions by year and region.

Most proposed closures or changes of use of hospitals are agreed locally with the support of the community health council. Where a proposal is referred to my right hon. Friend he considers all the circumstances, the views of the local community health council and other comments received, in reaching a decision. The table lists those proposals for the closure of whole hospitals, which have been referred to Ministers in this Department since 1979, and have not been accepted.