§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the North-West Thames regional health authority is required to cut its remaining expenditure for the year 1984–85 by £2.45 million as part of recent pay awards normally met nationally; and what effect this further cut will have on the Brent district health authority.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have not made any cuts of any kind in financial allocations to North West Thames regional health authority this year. We have allocated an additional £8.9 million to them to help to meet the additional cost of the recently announced pay awards. The RHA is responsible for determining how much of this additional revenue should be allocated to Brent health authority. The balance of the pay bill should be met from the cost-improvement programmes which they, like all health authorities are required to undertake.