§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he intends to reply to the report by the Royal College of Nursing about the effect on community services of financial and manpower cuts.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe are aware of the report to which the hon. Member refers, and see no need to reply to it. There is no evidence, either in the report or elsewhere, that health authorities generally are not continuing to give priority to community services in accordance with Government policy. Health authority spending is now at its highest level ever, in cash and in real terms after allowing for pay and price rises. I do not accept that our financial and manpower policies have caused any damaging effect on community services generally.