§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress he has made in his study of varied hospital provisions in different parts of the United Kingdom; and if he can publish any illustrative figures.
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§ Dr. OwenI think that my hon. Friend may be referring to the study of disparities in National Health Service resources in England being carried out by the Resource Allocation Working Party. Copies of its First Interim Report and of the letter of my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State, of 19th February, notifying regional health authorities of her decisions on that report are in the Library. The article referred to in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) on 4th March—[Vol. 906, c.741–2]—is also relevant. I expect a further report from the Resource Allocation Working Party in the middle of the year. It will again refer to England only. My responsibility for the NHS does not extend to other parts of the United Kingdom.