§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if there are regional variations in the methods used by regional health authorities to allocate resources to district health authorities; what are the methods used; and what guidance he has given on the matter.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAs explained in "Care in Action" (a copy of which is in the Library) regional health authorities are responsible for making allocations to districts in line with national principles. They use different methods to achieve this, as explained in my reply to the right hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dr. Owen) on 16 January at column113–15. Detailed questions about individual Regions' methodologies would best be referred to regional chairmen.