§ 42. Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the changes in National Health Service spending as a result of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement on 7 July.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Gould) earlier today.
§ 53. Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the effect of the reductions in public expenditure announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 7 July as (a) the capital programmes of, and (b) number of persons employed in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOn capital expenditure it will be for health authorities to review their programme in the light of the recently issued revised cash limits. The capital programme will still be some 14 per cent. higher after allowing for inflation than in 1978–79. On manpower we have told RHA chairmen that the National Health Service should plan to work to lower manpower targets over the year 1983–84, but within this we expect to see a shift in the balance of those employed towards those staff engaged in direct patient care, such as nurses. Manpower targets in terms of total numbers of staff employed by 31 March 1984 will be settled for each region in the next few weeks.