§ Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations she proposes to have with area health authorities over cutbacks in the hospital building programme.
§ Mrs. CastleI and my hon. Friend the Minister of State have had three meetings this month with the chairmen of area health authorities to discuss with them the implications for the NHS of the Government's decisions on public expenditure to 1979–80. Regional health authorities have been notified of their capital allocations for 1976–77 and given provisional planning assumptions for the following two years. It is for them to consider in consultation with area health authorities the priorities within their regions for use of the available resources.