§ Ms CoffeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds have been returned to the general allocations for 1997–98 as a result of the death before 1 April 1996 of patients with(a) mental illness and (b) learning disabilities admitted before June 1970, in both hospital-based and community-based accommodation. [10735]
§ Mr. HoramThe 1997–98 general allocations to health authorities have been enhanced by £20 million as a result of the net reduction in the special allocation which funds the care of patients with mental illness admitted before 1 January 1971 and patients with learning disabilities admitted before 1 January 1970. Patient deaths is one of the factors in this net reduction but this element is not separately identified in the information held centrally.