§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) in view of the fact that Bedfordshire now reœives below average resources for health than other areas, when he proposes to correct the balance:
(2) if he will make a further statement, pursuant to his observation made in Bedford on 4th February 1977 that Bedfordshire would definitely have more money available for the National Health Service over the next years and give a more specific date.
§ Mr. EnnalsI accept, as does the North West Thames Regional Health Authority, that Bedfordshire is an under-provided area in terms of NHS resources. It is not, however, possible to give details of the resources which will be made available until the regional health authority has had an opportunity to consider the allocations which it will receive and how they can be divided between areas.