§ 12. Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will increase the allocation of money for the next financial year to Ayrshire and Arran Health Board; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harry EwingUnder the terms of the interim report of the Working Party on Revenue Resource Allocation, the Ayrshire and Arran Health Board will receive an increased allocation for the next financial year. All health boards will be notified of their allocations as soon as possible.
§ Mr. LambieIs my hon. Friend aware that his statement showing a substantial increase in the money to be allocated to the board next year will be much welcomed by my constituents? Does he realise that this is the first victory in the Lambie campaign against the Glasgow Mafia to get a fair deal for the people of Ayrshire and that I, too, welcome his statement today?
§ Mr. EwingI am not sure about that compliment. We have had a working party looking at the allocation of resources to the various health boards in Scotland, and it is as a result of that first look at the allocation of resources that the Ayrshire and Arran Health Board will receive 1401 this increased allocation. I am very grateful for the complimentary remarks my hon. Friend made in the latter part of his supplementary question.
§ Mr. CorrieWill the Minister assure me that some of the increase will go to the Island of Arran to look after the hospital services there, and that it will not all go to Central Ayrshire?
§ Mr. EwingI think that the hon. Gentleman knows about the massive expansion programme that is going on in my hon. Friend's constituency. Some of the increased resources will go to community medicine projects as well, but the use of the resources is primarily a matter for the health board.