To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ensure that there is an independent assessment of the findings of the public consultation process that has taken place for the strategic services plan for the Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin primary care trusts. (106959)

The Department understands that the public consultation for stage two of the strategicreview of services in Shropshire County and Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) ended on27 November 2006. It is now for the two PCTs to consider the responses to this consultation and reach a decision as to the way forward. Decisions on service reconfiguration rarely involve Ministers. They will only become involved if the relevant overview and scrutiny committee choose to refer any decisions to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. Where a referral has been made, the Secretary of State for Health may ask the independent review panel to advise her on the matter.