§ 6. Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are his current plans for current and capital allocation, respectively, of moneys to the Wessex health region over the next five years.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWessex regional health authority will continue to benefit over the next five years from this Government's policy of redistributing revenue resources to regions which have in the past been less well funded or which face high growth in population. Wessex can also expect to receive a higher than average capital allocation per head over the same period.
§ Sir David PriceI thank my hon. Friend for that most encouraging reply. Do I take it, and may I put it to the people of Wessex, that there is no question of any National Health Service cuts in Wessex?
§ Mr. ClarkeYes, my hon. Friend can certainly do that. The growth in revenue in the region since 1979–80, the year that we came to office, has been 8.4 per cent. After making provision for Health Service pay and prices, 1.1 per cent. growth was given to the region in 1983–84. We have no intention of making any cuts in Health Service spending in the area to which my hon. Friend referred.
§ Mr. CorbettWhile the Minister is looking at cuts in Wessex, will he also look al the cuts in the west midlands region?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ Mr. CorbettIt is nearby.
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is not as near as all that.