§ Mr. John Browneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance he is giving to hospitals for a standardised approach to the apportionment of costs in accordance with paragraph 15 of the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the level of charges for private resident patients in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no plans to issue guidance to health authorities on a standardised approach to the apportionment of hospital costs. Authorities and hospitals differ widely in size and organisation and we expect treasurers to use their professional expertise, local knowledge and information systems to decide in each case upon appropriate apportionments. The improved management information which will be available in all health authorities from 1 April 1987 will greatly assist this process.