§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the timetable allowed to district health authorities to prepare their strategic plans.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe amount of time allowed to districts is a matter for regional authorities to decide upon. I am not aware of any existing general problem. If the hon. Member has a particular instance in mind he should write to the chairman of the appropriate regional health authority.
§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations he has received regarding the timetable arranged for the submission of strategic plans by regional health authorities;
(2) if he will extend the timetable for submission of strategic plans by the regional health authorities.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have held discussions with regional health authorities where they have told us they may have a problem in meeting the deadline for submission. As a result, it has been agreed that five regions may submit their plans after the original deadline.
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§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated total for 1984–85 of mortgage interest paid for recipients of supplementary benefits.
§ Mr. WhitneyI regret that an estimate for 1984–85 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 22 October to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Heddle), at columns510–11, which gives the latest available information.