NHS Reorganisation

On PCTs, does the hon. Gentleman not think it very unfortunate that the authorities have put forward a preferred option, which means, in effect, that they are not prepared to consider any other option? That is what happened in east Cheshire, where there is a preferred option of reducing four PCTs to one. In my view there should be two PCTs, in order to recognise the differing cultural needs of east and west Cheshire. Does the hon. Gentleman not support me when I say that a preferred option is not the way to proceed? All options should be equal in the consultation process.