HC Deb 15 May 1978 vol 950 cc49-50W
Mr. David Mudd

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much in (a) capital, and (b) revenue, his Department's expenditure per capita in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly health authority area exceeds, or is less than, that of the national averages per capita in respect of his Department.

Mr. Moyle

Insufficient data is available to produce a reliable estimate of the per capita cost of Social Security benefits in particular areas or regions, of England. Expenditure on health services in 1976–77 in the area of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Area Health Authority expressed per head of population was less than average expenditure in England similarly expressed by (a) £2.73 for capital and (b) £11.93 for revenue. Steps are being taken to adjust the revenue discrepancy in accordance with the RAWP recommendations. Capital allocations may fluctuate according to needs, priorities and tasks being undertaken.

Notes on Calculation of Difference

(1) Expenditure on services which are financed centrally and not attributable to particular areas has been excluded. Revenue expenditure on the hospital service in East Cornwall which is managed by the Devon Area Health Authority has been included.

(2) Expenditure figures have been related to 1976 mid-year estimates of resident populations; the figures are influenced by the payment of London weighting allowance to staff and by the incidence of additional expenditure in the provision of facilities for the clinical teaching of medical and dental students.

(3) The population figures used take no account of people who are provided with treatment outside their area of residence (e.g., at Plymouth), nor are they adjusted for differences in the morbidity and age/sex structure of the relative populations.