asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to reconsider the Hospital Plan in the light of the South East England Study and the White Paper issued therewith by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

The Hospital Plan is kept under review in the light of changing circumstances. As development plans are published and implemented hospital boards take account of them in their planning.

Does the Minister appreciate that if the population of Ipswich and East Suffolk is increased in anything like the measure envisaged in the South East England Study the present proposal in the Hospital Plan will be ridiculously inadequate? Does he not therefore think that the whole plan in relation to East Anglia should be reconsidered as soon as possible?

The South East England Study will certainly affect future planning. Indeed, it is because we recognise that priorities may change that there is a revision of the plan each year.