THE Prime Minister has now made it absolutely clear that he is determined to abolish Community Health Councils, despite enormous opposition from within his own party and the wider public.

Nationwide, Community Health Councils employ 700 staff, supported by 5,000 volunteers.They are the only remaining independent voice in the NHS beyond the control of the Labour propaganda machine.

Community Health Councils handle 30,000 complaints a year at a cost of £23m a year. Not only will the new replacement structures cost £114m, they will deny patients the 'one-stop shop' currently available to address their medical complaints.

None of these plans were in Labour's 1997 Manifesto. I'm sure your readers will wish to know whether their local Labour MPs support the destruction of the Community Health Councils.

Dr. Liam Fox MP

Shadow Secretary of

State for Health

House of Commons

London