§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what criteria he adopts in allocating resources to the North-Western Regional Health Authority;
(2) whether he is satisfied with the share of National Health Service resources allocated to the North-Western Regional Health Authority;
(3) what representations he has received from the North-Western Regional Health Authority about its share of National Health Service resources.
§ Mr. MoyleAllocations to regions in England for 1977–78, within the funds available nationally, are being made following broadly the principles recommended by the Resource Allocation Working Party, as a move towards a fairer distribution of financial resources in relation to health care needs.
I recognise that the North Western Region is underprovided with financial resources, and the allocation made to it for 1977–78 represents the highest rate of growth in real terms in the revenue resources available to any region.
The regional health authority has welcomed the recommendations of the working party for securing a fairer distribution of resources.