§ Mr. Penhaligonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) on what population he bases his allocation to the Cornwall Area Health Authority; and what changes in population he assumes to have taken place since the last census;
(2) what account he takes of the fact that the people retiring to Cornwall without family support have a significant effect on the demand for hospital accommodation; and if his Department has any figures which quantify this
§ Mr. MoyleMy Department allocates financial resources to regional health authorities. Allocations are calculated on the basis of the recommendations of the Resource Allocation Working Party Report published in September 1976, using the most recent population statistics 443W which are revised annually. These are weighted for age and sex and other factors Regional health authorities are expected to adopt similar principles in allocating resources to area health authorities, at the same time having regard to special local circumstances. There are no statistics showing the extent of family support for retired persons.