To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by his Department on implementing the plans made as a result of the review of intensive care for children undertaken by regional health authorities to achieve a national service; and if he will make a statement. [7326]

Health authorities are responsible for implementing these plans through contracts with hospitals providing appropriate facilities. To assist, the Department is collaborating with the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, on research to identify the optimum size and distribution of a national network of paediatric intensive care units.