§ Mr. Allen McKayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will increase the revenue cash limit of £700 million to the Trent regional health authority by a further £40 million to maintain the equalisation policy.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo. The 1982–83 cash limits were announced in January. These limits continued the policy of gradual equalisation of resources across the country and Trent region continues to be a major beneficiary of this policy. In 1977–78 the Trent region was over 10 per cent. below the region's target share of national resources. In 1982–83 this has reduced to 5.5 per cent. Within a national growth in real terms of 1.7 per cent. for 1982–83, Trent region received 3 per cent. There is, therefore, no basis upon which £40 million could or should be diverted from the rest of the country to the Trent region.