HC Deb 03 July 1967 vol 749 cc1239-40
14. Mr. Hunt

asked the Minister of Health, what recent representations he has received from the South-East Regional Hospital Board regarding the difficulties of hospital management committees within the region.

Mr. K. Robinson

My Department has recently discussed its revenue allocation with the regional board and as a result I have made the board a small additional allocation for the current year.

Mr. Hunt

May I express my gratitude to the Minister for that small concession? Is he aware, however, that there is much concern in Bromley and elsewhere at the niggardly approach of his Department towards estimates for the current year?

Mr. Robinson

I do not think that my approach can legitimately be described as niggardly. I have looked into this matter since the hon. Member put down the Question and I am satisfied that the Bromley Group gets its fair share of the resources available.

15. Mr. Hunt

asked the Minister of Health why he has refused to furnish the hon. Member for Bromley with details of the estimates submitted for the current year by the hospital management committees within the area covered by the South-East Regional Hospital Board.

Mr. K. Robinson

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 5th June.—[Vol. 747, c. 121.]

Mr. Hunt

What is the Minister trying to hide in this matter? Surely, if we are to assess the severity of the cuts imposed in the current year we must know the original estimates as well as the final allocation. Is not a Member of Parliament entitled to have such information, whatever embarrassment it may cause the Minister of Health?

Mr. Robinson

It is not a question of embarrassment. The hon. Member has almost answered his own supplementary question. These are not current but forward estimates, which are made a year before the beginning of the financial year to which they relate, and represent the desires of hospital management committees, which do not necessarily each apply the same standards. They represent their desires for development and improvement in hospital services in their areas, and the estimate of one hospital management committee cannot, therefore, be meaningfully compared with the estimate of another, or with the eventual allocation. We regard the forward estimates of a hospital management committee as working documents between the management committee and the board.