HC Deb 25 November 1986 vol 106 cc121-2
1. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take on the report "Inequalities in Health in the Northern Region", a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister for Health (Mr. Tony Newton)

Much of the report raises issues for consideration by the regional health authority, which commissioned it and will no doubt take it into account in its planning. For their part, the Government remain committed to the principle of ensuring equitable distribution of NHS resources throughout the country, through policies which have raised NHS expenditure in the northern region by significantly more than the national average since 1979.

Mr. Dormand

Is the Minister aware that this report demonstrates a consistent link between ill-health and material deprivation? What does he say of the report's claim that no fewer than two thirds of the 678 local government wards in the northern region have levels of permanent sickness that are worse than the average for England and Wales? Does he recall that the Black report said similar things a few years ago, so when will this uncaring, hypocritical Government do something for the region, or has the Minister already consigned us to the scrap heap?

Mr. Newton

I am aware of two things. The first is that there is considerable academic debate about the linkages between some of the statistics to which the hon. Gentleman referred. The second is that, out of the rising total of NHS resources, the northern region's expenditure has risen from less than £300 million in 1978–79 to well over £600 million in 1985–86, and that is substantially above the increase nationally. I am also aware that 11 major capital developments have been completed in the last few years in that region, at a cost of nearly £100 million. The Government are committed to the improvement of health services in the northern region.

Mr. Boyes

The report "Inequalities in Health in the Northern Region" only adds to an enormous amount of data showing the relationship between unemployment and health, and only Ministers are ignoring that data. Despite the proven need in my constituency for a new hospital, why will the Government not bring forward the resources to build the hospital which they know is needed, instead of leaving it to private capital to build it, as a result of which the very people suffering from ill-health will be denied access to it?

Mr. Newton

There is absolutely no question of the Government leaving it to private capital to build new hospitals. I have already said that 11 major capital developments have been completed in the northern region in the last five years. Nine schemes are currently under construction at a cost of £31 million, and three more schemes costing £27 million are shortly due to begin. That is all part of the biggest capital building programme in NHS history.

Mr. Dobson

Despite all the blather from the Minister, will he confirm that the Government have reduced the northern region's population-weighted share of spending on new buildings and equipment by no less than 16 per cent. since 1979?

Mr. Newton

I will not be lectured about blather by an expert on the subject. The Government's record in capital building speaks for itself. It far outstrips anything for which the Labour Government were responsible.