HC Deb 22 July 1997 vol 298 c560W
38. Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he has made to ensure that services are not affected in the present financial year by the deficits in health authority and health trust budgets. [7981]

Mr. Milburn

We are under no illusions about the legacy we inherited. We know that the national health service is under considerable pressure this year. The first duty of the NHS is to respond to those in greatest need, ensuring capacity to respond to emergencies. This it must do. We are also actively taking steps to ensure full co-operation between local social services and the health service to help cope with winter pressures.