§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what amount of money has been paid in each of the past three years by the Supplementary Benefits Commission in lieu of maintenance payments not received by divorced, separated and deserted spouses.
§ Mr. DeakinsI regret that the information is not available in the form requested. My hon. Friend may wish to know that the following tables have been published in the Supplementary Benefits Commission annual reports 1975–77. These tables also include information about single women and others where liability to maintain persons for whom supplementary benefit was payable was an issue.
out those Health Service responsibilities which are duplicated by regional health authorities, area health authorities, and boards of governors; what analysis his 31W Department has made of the cost of such duplication; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe functions of regional health authorities are specified in the National Health Service Functions (Directions to Authorities) Regulations 1974—SI 1974, no. 24. Most are delegated to area health authorities under regulation 5. Regional health authorities have an overall monitoring role even for delegated functions, and there is undoubtedly the risk of some duplication of effort, but I have no means of assessing its extent or cost. There is no duplication of responsibility between health authorities and boards of governors whose functions are specified in the National Health Service (Functions of Regional Hospital Boards, etc.) Regulations 1969—SI 1969, no. 297. I shall review the structure of the Service, including the functions of the different levels of authority, in the light of the report of the Royal Commission on the National Health Service, due later this year.