Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the level of funding was for the Harrow Wheelchair Service in each of the last five years; [8171]
(2) if he will make a statement on his plans to increase funding for wheelchair services and on the method of distribution used to allocate this funding. [8172]
§ Jacqui SmithFigures for individual wheelchair services are not held centrally. Funding for wheelchair services is part of health authorities general allocations. It is for health authorities in partnership with primary care groups/trusts and other local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services. Health authority allocations for 2002–03 were announced on 6 December 2001.