§ Mr. Lordasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make a statement on the present and future funding of hospital services in East Anglia;
585W(2) what account he takes in allocating funding for hospital services in East Anglia, of the current level of spending per capita relative to that in other regions; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what account he takes, in allocating funds for hospital services in East Anglia, of the current and projected rates of population growth in the region; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThis Government remain committed to achieving a fair distribution of resources across the country, using the approach recommended by the resource allocation working party (RAWP). On this basis, the East Anglian region can expect, under this Government to continue to receive increases in its revenue allocation which will be above the average increase for the country as a whole. In 1985–86 the region will receive a cash increase of 6.3 per cent. compared with 5.5 per cent. nationally, and the resource assumptions issued in January provide for growth of 1.9 per cent. and 2 per cent. for 1986–87 and 1987–88 compared with national growth in each of these years of 1 per cent. above forecast inflation.
These allocations take account of the fact that the region is currently funded at below national average levels and of the projected increase in the population in the East Anglian region.