§ 43. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister Health if he is aware of the difficulties experienced by the South Western Regional Hospital Board in maintaining an efficient health service because of insufficient financial grants, rising prices and the greater use of expensive drugs in mental cases; and if he will reconsider the allocation of funds with a view to an increase of grant to this region.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe amount allocated to the South Western Regional Hospital Board for the current financial year was sufficient not only to enable the level of services at the beginning of the year to be maintained but also to provide for further developments and improvements. I am aware that the Board is finding difficulty in containing expenditure within the amount allocated, but the rate of improvement which can be made in the hospital service must of course be conditioned by the funds available. I look to the Board and the hospital management committees in the region to budget accordingly. Prices have remained stable this year but allocations are in any case adjusted as necessary to take account of price variations.