HC Deb 31 January 1984 vol 53 cc130-1W
26. Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his announced increase in resources for the National Health Service will accommodate pay settlements for National Health Service staff in line with inflation.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Health authorities' revenue and capital allocations for 1984–85 include provision to cover pay increases of 3 per cent. in accordance with the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15 September 1983 on provision for pay in the public sector.

27. Mr. Fallon

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what new steps he will be taking to increase resources for under-resourced National Health Service regions.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The Government have already made considerable progress in moving towards a fairer distribution of health care resources between different parts of the country. As my right hon. Friend announced on 9 January, the 1 per cent. real growth in resources available in 1984–85 will continue the process of giving higher rates of growth to regions historically deprived of resources or which are experiencing significant population growth.

39. Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what allowance he has made for the costs of increasing medical technology and demographic change in the financial provisions for the National Health Service in London in 1983–84.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his questions on 16 January 1984.—[Vol. 52, c.144–45.]

54. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give advice to regional health authorities as to how financial allocations made by them to their districts should not vary too widely in applying the consequences of the resources allocation working party formula.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Worthing (Mr. Hughes) on 3 November 1983. —[Vol. 47, c.465–66] I am confident that regional health authorities will follow policies that help to ensure better distribution of real resources for the benefit of patients throughout their regions.