§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to receive the next report from the Resource Allocation Working Party; and if he will establish a timetable for the reallocation of resources between area health authorities on the basis of the report.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe Resource Allocation Working Party's second report, "Sharing Resources for Health in England", was published on 29th September. A copy is in the Library of the House. The report, the product of one and a half years' work by officers of the NHS and of my Department, recommends far-reaching changes in the way in which NHS finance is allocated to regional health authorities, area health authorities and districts in England. I am most grateful to those who took part for their hard work. Before reaching any 79W decisions on the recommendations in the report I am seeking the views of health authorities and other interested bodies, firstly on the methods to be adopted in making financial allocations for 1977–78 and secondly on arrangements for the longer term.