§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he is introducing to ensure that the additional resources for the NHS in the year 1998–99 released in his Budget are equitably distributed across health authorities throughout the United Kingdom. [7724]
§ Mr. MilburnAn announcement will be made about 1998–99 allocations in the autumn. We are committed to allocating resources as fairly as possible fully to reflect local population needs.
Questions relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland, respectively.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the amounts of additional funds that NHS hospital trusts would receive in 1998–99 using allocations for 1997–98 as the pro rata basis for this calculation. [7448]
§ Mr. MilburnNational Health Service trusts receive most of their income through contracts with health authorities and general practitioner fundholders. They are not directly funded by the Department of Health.
An announcement will be made about 1998–99 allocations to health authorities in the Autumn.