To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further representations he has received regarding hospitals opting out of the present national health service management structure.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 16 May at column 418. Since then a further six units have expressed interest in national health service trust status. This brings the total number of units which have expressed interest in trust status to 199.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the national medical organisations which have made representations to him expressing support for proposals for national health service hospitals to become self-governing.
Since the White Paper was published in 1989 it has attracted a great deal of interest from the medical profession at national and at local level. Much of the discussion with the national organisations has been about the detailed implications and practical details of the implementation of the proposals. At local level there is substantial interest and support from the medical profession on the proposals for establishing NHS trusts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how far his decision on whether a hospital will become self-governing will depend on the number of individuals and organisations in the area who have been involved in the consultation process concerned being in favour of such a step being taken.
My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State will consider applications for national health service trust status individually in the light of all relevant information, including any views expressed in the local consultation exercise.