asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when, and by what method, the decision by Fife health board to adopt option C as its policy in relation to acute bed provision in Fife was conveyed to his office.

The board's decision was initially conveyed to the Scottish Home and Health Department by telephone on 3 March when a meeting was arranged to consider the procedures to be adopted to implement the decision. The board has yet to make a formal submission for approval in principle.