To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider the possibility of creating more than one local health council in the Tayside health board area.

I agree that local health councils have an important role to play, but to be effective it is desirable that what is expected of councils is clear, that they are truly representative of my areas that they serve, and that they speak with one voice. These criteria are, in my view and that of my colleagues, most likely met by well-resourced single councils capable of dealing on a one-to-one basis with their health boards. However, if Tayside health board, or indeed any other board, wishes to submit a scheme for more than one council any such scheme will be considered on its merits.