§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what extra funds will be made available to the Kent Area Health Authority by 1987 under the plans recently announced by the South East Thames Regional Health Authority, how this compares with the amount recommended by the Resource Allocation Working Party, and what representations he intends to make to the region about the recent developments in the light of the assurances given to the hon. Member for Gravesend by the Minister of State on 3rd March.
§ Mr. MoyleAt its last meeting the South-East Thames Regional Health Authority agreed regional strategic guidelines which provide for two options for the redistribution of revenue resources by 1987–88—a 25 per cent. and a 40 per cent. movement towards target allocations—and area health authorities have been asked to prepare their strategic plans on the basis of the two options. The regional health authority will review these options when the areas' plans have been received. It is for the regional health authority to develop its strategy within the guidelines issued by my Department and I see no reason to intervene at this stage.