HC Deb 11 December 1974 vol 883 cc189-90W
Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance she has issued to regional health authorities concerning the allocation of resources between individual area health authorities.

Dr. Owen

Regional health authorities have delegated authority to determine allocations between individual area health authorities in accordance with central guidance on the services whose improvement is of greatest priority. My Department is developing its planning capability with a view to increasing the relevance of that guidance to the determination of local priorities. In this context, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) on 26th November.—[Vol. 882, c. 106–7.]

Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision is made in the allocation of finance to area health authorities to take account of facilities provided for patients from outside an authority's area.

Dr. Owen

Generally, resources are allocated to area health authorities to meet the cost of services provided within the area whether to persons resident inside or outside the authority's area.