To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the process for overview and scrutiny committee reports to the Department of Health; what action she takes in the light of such a report; and what powers she has to order an independent inquiry into the proposals that (a) a strategic health authority, (b) a primary care and (c) an NHS trust including foundation trusts produce. (75992)

The Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny of Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations 2002 provide for an overview and scrutiny committee to refer a case to the Secretary of State where the committee considers that consultation has been inadequate or the proposal is not in the interests of the health service in its area. The Secretary of State will consider the referral alongside information provided by the local national health service and departmental officials. The Secretary of State may ask for independent advice on the referral, which may be from the independent reconfiguration panel or a different source. Where the proposal relates to an NHS foundation trust, the overview and scrutiny committee refers the case to Monitor, who may also seek independent advice.