HC Deb 19 October 1989 vol 158 cc207-8W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the amount of moneys available to health authorities specifically for the development of services for those experiencing problems with drugs, including prescribed drugs such as tranquillisers.

Mr. Freeman

Allocations for regional health authori-ties specifically earmarked for the development of services for drug misusers including those dependent on prescribed tranquillisers have increased each year since the initial allocation of £5 million in 1986–87.

Regional allocations in 1989–90 for this purpose totalled £14.8 million, an increase of £5.3 million over the sum allocated in 1988–89.

Decisions on allocations to health authorities for 1990–91 have yet to be taken.