§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recognition he is able to give in his allocation of capital to the regions to spending designed to save recurrent expenditure, either by increasing the allocation or giving permission to borrow.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe allocate capital resources to regional health authorities reflecting our objective assessment of the relative needs of the different regions for resources. The saving of recurrent expenditure is one criterion health authorities are required to use in planning their capital programmes. Where an RHA can make better use of capital in the short term, we make arrangements to move capital allocations between regions within the resources available to the Health Service. Health authorities are not permitted to borrow capital funds.