§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what improvements the present Administration have made to the National Health Service.
§ Mr. FowlerMany: in particular we have streamlined the structure to improve management—matching local freedom of action with improved arrangements for planning, for accountability, and for ensuring that resources are used effectively; increased spending, and numbers of staff employed in patient care, reduced waiting lists; and strengthened links with the voluntary and private sectors. There have also been a large number of developments within specific areas. For example, over £1,100 million is being committed to 130 major new hospital developments over the next few years.