§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the departmental administration costs in each year since and including 1989–90; what is the planned expenditure on departmental administration increase in 1995–96 and 1996–97; and if she will make a statement on the planned increase in spending in 1996–97 over 1995–96; [21751]
(2) if she will make a statement on the planned change in Department of Health staff in 1996–97. [21742]
§ Mr. SackvilleDepartmental administration costs from 1989–90 to 1994–95, and the planned expenditure for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are shown in the table. The figures for 1994–95 are an estimate. In the three years to 31 March 1997, the staff costs and numbers of the Department as it stood on 1 April 1994 are planned to decrease by 21 per cent. Separately, in 1996–97, staff numbers will increase as a result of the replacement, subject to legislation, of regional health authorities with regional offices of the National Health Service Executive, in respect of which there will be a transfer of £63 million from hospital, community health and related services current expenditure to departmental administration.
Year Costs(£000s) 1989–90 174,681 1990–91 216,785 1991–92 240,267 1992–93 276,280 1993–94 250,775 1994–95 260,264 1995–96 238,145 1996–97 291,222