§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for. Social Services what effect his decision on the 1979–80 level of expenditure to be permitted by the Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham area health authority will have on the pace of reallocation of resources in the South-East Thames region and, in particular, on the improvement in the financial position of the Kent area health authority.
§ Mr. MoyleMy right hon. Friend's decision on the 1979–80 level of expenditure to be permitted by the Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham area health authority (teaching) is an essential step towards bringing that authority's rate of expenditure within its authorised cash limit. In determining the allocations to be made in 1979–80 to the Thames regions, we shall take into account, within the scope allowed by the increased resources available to the National Health Service nationally, the need for the Thames regional health authorities to be in a position to increase allocations to those of their areas whose present resources fall below the calculated target. 281W I have no doubt that the South-East Thames regional health authority will bear this in mind when it exercises its responsibility for determining the 1979–80 allocations for its areas other than the AHA(T).