§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what basis he decided to reduce the cash increase in joint finance to inner London health districts from 7.2 per cent. in 1983–84 to 0.8 per cent. in 1984–85, and for all Greater London health districts from 8.1 per cent. to 1.9 per cent.
§ Mr. John PattenIt is for regional health authorities to decide the allocations of joint finance funds to health districts. The Department allocates funds to regional health authorities. In 1984–85 joint finance allocations to the four Thames regions were 4.2 per cent. higher than in 1983–84.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has advised health authorities to devote joint finance to continue projects likely to be affected by reductions in social services spending following rate capping.
§ Mr. John PattenNo. Decisions to fund individual projects are made by district health authorities.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will instruct regional health authorities to make specific allowance for social deprivation when allocating joint finance between districts.
§ Mr. John PattenNo. It is for regional health authorities to determine whether, and if so to what extent, account is taken of social deprivation in distributing joint finance allocations to health districts.