§ Mr. Sainsburyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will make new appointments to regional health authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungHalf the membership of the regional health authorities will complete its present term of office on 30 September 1980. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to announce next July any changes and reappointments to the membership. Appointments are made only after widespread consultation. If hon. Members wish to make recommendations, I invite them to write to me before Easter.
662Wwhy he is unable to give figures on an annual basis for both estimated expenditure and actual expenditure, and numbers eligible, for non-contributory invalidity pension, housewives' non-contributory pension, invalid care allowance, attendance allowance, mobility allowance, invalidity pension, invalidity benefit, and all other cash benefits and supplements payable to long-term sick and disabled people in 1978–79; when he will be able to do so; and if he will provide these figures for 1977–78.
§ Mr. PrenticeAs explained in my reply to the right hon. Gentleman on 21 January—[Vol. 977, c.65–6]—the Department's estimates of numbers of beneficiaries and expenditure are subject to continuous review. The estimates made in the autumn of each year are published in the social security chapter of the annual public expenditure White Paper. The expenditure figures for 1977–78 and the estimated number of beneficiaries at spot dates are as follows: