HC Deb 07 July 1997 vol 297 cc308-9W
Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the terms of reference of the fundamental review of NHS spending; [6542]

(2) which (a) ministers and (b) officials of his Department sit on the fundamental review of NHS spending panel; [6544]

(3) what is the role of the Treasury in the fundamental review of NHS funding; [6543]

(4) what is the timetable for reporting the conclusions of the fundamental review of NHS spending. [6483]

Mr. Milburn

My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, in his statement to the House on 11 June, column 1143, said that terms of reference for Departmental reviews would be published shortly; that the review would take 12 months to complete, and its conclusions would inform a new set of public spending plans for the rest of this Parliament. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, said to the House on 25 June, column 916, that the review would involve Health Department officials, National Health Service staff and people from outside both services, and that Ministers would be involved at all stages. Treasury officials are also involved in the review.

Mr. Tony Colman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the health authority funding arrangements. [6419]

Mr. Milburn

An announcement will be made in due course.