To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will refer the rationalisation of the Royal Victoria and City Hospital to the National Audit Office to examine the reasons for proposed capital expenditure at a time when beds are vacant. [17768]

[holding answer 25 November 1997]: No. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board with the Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospitals Health and Social Services Trust and the Belfast City Hospital Health and Social Services Trust, as part of the on-going process of rationalisation, are currently considering a range of options for the utilisation of capacity being freed up at Belfast City Hospital.