HC Deb 03 December 1996 vol 286 cc788-9
12. Mr. Riddick

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he had about health care in Huddersfield during his recent visit to Huddersfield national health service trust. [5621]

Mr. Burns

I understand that discussions were concentrated on a number of issues, not least the excellent care provided to users by Huddersfield NHS trust.

Mr. Riddick

Is my hon. Friend aware that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was able to see for himself some of the superb developments that are taking place as part of the £10 million investment programme being carried out by the Huddersfield NHS trust? Does that not simply demonstrate the Conservative Government's total commitment to the NHS in Yorkshire? Is he aware that I receive far fewer complaints about the local NHS in my part the world than about my local Labour-controlled council?

Mr. Burns

My hon. Friend is right to identify the £10 million that has been invested over the past 18 months in hospital facilities in the Huddersfield area, including a new neurology ward, the Greenlea oncology suite, a relocated intensive care unit with new dedicated facilities and the refurbished orthopaedic out-patient department. I am sure that my hon. Friend agrees that it is no wonder that he gets fewer complaints about his excellent local national health service provision than he does about his local authority, because people are led up to the back teeth with the shroud waving, moaning and carping of the Labour party.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

When the Secretary of State visited Huddersfield and met the impressive team that runs the trust, did he mention page 124 of the Red Book—a page which I am sure that the Minister knows off by heart? In particular, did he mention the lines that refer to health, of which the NHS budget forms a part? The total health budget from 1997 to—

Hon. Members

Reading.

Madam Speaker

Order. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is not reading, but if he is, I am sure that he will stop it.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

The figure for next year is 33.4. For the year after, it is 33.2. That is a real terms reduction of 0.2 over 12 months, according to the Red Book. Will the Minister explain how it is possible to construe that reduction in real-terms expenditure over 12 months, shown in a Government document, as an increase?

Mr. Burns

The hon. Gentleman is obviously trying to help the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith), who failed last night and again this morning. There is a straightforward answer to the question; there is no secret about it. He will see it confirmed if he continues to look through the Red Book. There will be a real-terms increase in spending on the national health service. The fall in the figure—[Interruption.] If the hon. Gentleman listens, he will get the answer. The fall in the figure is accounted for by the community care money being transferred to the Department of the Environment budget. If the hon. Gentleman looks at that budget, he will see the money there.

Mrs. Peacock

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Dewsbury Healthcare NHS trust, which serves my constituency, has a long history of low funding? Is he further aware that, since its inception, the Calderdale and Kirklees health authority, based in Huddersfield, has done nothing to redress the balance?

Mr. Burns

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing the problem to my attention. She will be aware of the record increase, in the context of total national health service funding, in last year's budget.—[Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. The House cannot hear the Minister unless he uses the microphone.

Mr. Burns

I am extremely grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing the problem to my attention.