HC Deb 02 June 1980 vol 985 c561W
Mr. David Hoot

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the Wirral area health authority has to pay 2p per litre more for its oil than other area health authorities within the region; and what steps he will take to make up the deficiency in funding which this extra charge is causing.

Sir George Young

The higher cost of the supply of oil to the Wirral area health authority is a direct result of the lack of competition when tenders were invited last summer. However, as a result of movements in relative prices since then the difference currently stands at 0.28p per litre greater than the best price in the remainder of the region.

The Department sets the cash limits of regional health authorities and it is for regions to set the cash limits of area health authorities.

PERINATAL MORTALITY RATES: SOCIAL CLASS (LEGITIMATE SINGLE BIRTHS ONLY) 1950, 1973 AND 1978
England and Wales
Percentage decrease
Social Class 1950 1973 1978 195073 195078 197378
I. Professional 25.4 13.9 10.7 45 58 23
II. Managerial 30.4 15.6 11.0 49 64 29
III. Skilled 33.6 19.2 13.8 43 59 28
Non-manual 17.3 12.7 27
Manual 19.7 14.1 28
IV. Semi-skilled 36.9 21.8 15.4 41 58 29
V. Unskilled 40.4 26.8 19.3 34 52 28
All social classes* 34.9† 18.9 13.7 46 61 28
* Includes Armed Forces, students etc.
† Estimated.