§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which bodies, other than the health boards and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, he intends to consult about changes he proposes to make to the support financing scheme as a consequence of (a) the forthcoming implementation of section 2 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act and (b) his current review of the scheme's administrative arrangements;
(2) whether he has any plans similar to those announced for England in Department of Health and Social Security circular HC(83)6/LAC(83) 6;
(3) whether he will make the support financing scheme more attractive to non-health board funding partners by amending the guidance on the proportion and duration of health board funding to bring it into line with the guidance issued in Department of Health and Social Security circular HC(83)6/LAC(83)6 in respect of the parallel English joint financing scheme.
§ Mr. John MacKayIn reviewing the operation of the support finance scheme, including its possible extension to housing and education as well as social work, we are taking into account the recently announced changes to the similar joint finance scheme in England. We have not yet considered which interested organisations should be consulted about any consequential changes to the existing arrangements, other than health boards and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the finance available under the support financing scheme in Scotland was taken up in the financial year 1982–83.
§ Mr. John MacKayExpenditure by Health Boards amounted to £1.03 million, slightly more than half the sum available in that year.
§ Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to announce the results of his current review of the arrangements for the support financing scheme in Scotland.
§ Mr. John MacKayAs soon as possible.