Medical Aid for Poland Fund (Hansard, 19 April 1985)

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how much aid was given in 1984 to the Medical Aid for Poland Fund; and how much he expects to be given in 1985 and of what kind;
(2) how much surplus medical equipment and supplies were given to Equipment for Charity Hospitals Overseas in 1984; and how much he expects will be given in 1985.

§ Mr. John Patten
[pursuant to his reply, 15 April 1985, c. 97]: National Health Service authorities are responsible for deciding what equipment and supplies are surplus to their requirements and for their disposal in accordance with guidance issued by the Department in HN(76)2, a copy of which is in the Library. Information about such disposals is not generally provided to the Department.
I understand, however, that the Medical Aid for Poland Fund received aid in the form of a wide range of surplus NHS supplies in 1984. Details of quantities of the different items are not available but it is estimated that the 5,809 boxes of supplies provided amounted to 74.5 tonnes by weight.
I also understand that Equipment for Charity Hospitals Overseas (ECHO) received a wide range of surplus

Grants to Local Government in West Midlands region* £ million

1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86

1. Rate support grants†

Needs and resources‡ 692.3 825.6

Block grant‡ 873.6 873.6 933.4 923.1 946.8

Domestic elementl║ 69.4 70.8

Domestic rate relief grant║ 71.8 73.4 74.2 74.8 75.5

2. Transport supplementary grantll¶ 22.8 23.9 18.3 25.3 27.1 27.0 16.9

3. Specific grants• 146.8 186.7 206.2 222.9 289.8 — —

4. Capital grants• 16.6 29.0 24.2 33.8 30.9 — —

* The figures relate to the shire counties of Hereford and Worcester, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire, the metropolitan county of West Midlands and to all the district councils covered by these counties.

†The rate support grant system changed in 1981–82. Figures for earlier years are not on a comparable basis. The figures for 1979–80 and 1980–81 include the needs, resources and domestic elements. Thereafter they include block grant and domestic rate relief grant.

‡ Figures up to 1981–82 are final entitlements. Those for 1982–83 and 1983–84 are entitlements based on outturn after holdback. Those for 1984–85 and 1985–86 are based on budgets after and before holdback respectively.

║ The figures up to 1983–84 are final entitlements. Those for 1984–85 and 1985–86 are latest estimates.

¶ The figures up to 1984–85 cover all transport, while that for 1985–86 is for roads capital only.

• Figures are not available for 1984–85 and 1985–86.

§ Mrs. Renée Short
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what target expenditure levels were set for the 296W medical equipment and supplies in 1984, for some of which it made a nominal payment. Details of quantities of all the different items provided are not readily available, but it is estimated that some 110 van-loads, amounting to 193 tonnes by weight, were supplied. The following list gives examples of the kinds of items included and the quantities:
14,000 Syringes (old type markings)
400 Nurses dresses
15 Operating tables
5 Hydraulic dental chairs
12 Incubators
300 Tubular bed frames
6 Diathermy machines.
It is not possible to say how much surplus equipment and supplies will be provided to either organisation in 1985.

Grants to Local Government in West Midlands region*							£ million
	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86
1. Rate support grants†
Needs and resources‡	692.3	825.6
Block grant‡			873.6	873.6	933.4	923.1	946.8
Domestic elementl║	69.4	70.8
Domestic rate relief grant║			71.8	73.4	74.2	74.8	75.5
2. Transport supplementary grantll¶	22.8	23.9	18.3	25.3	27.1	27.0	16.9
3. Specific grants•	146.8	186.7	206.2	222.9	289.8	—	—
4. Capital grants•	16.6	29.0	24.2	33.8	30.9	—	—
* The figures relate to the shire counties of Hereford and Worcester, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire, the metropolitan county of West Midlands and to all the district councils covered by these counties.
†The rate support grant system changed in 1981–82. Figures for earlier years are not on a comparable basis. The figures for 1979–80 and 1980–81 include the needs, resources and domestic elements. Thereafter they include block grant and domestic rate relief grant.
‡ Figures up to 1981–82 are final entitlements. Those for 1982–83 and 1983–84 are entitlements based on outturn after holdback. Those for 1984–85 and 1985–86 are based on budgets after and before holdback respectively.
║ The figures up to 1983–84 are final entitlements. Those for 1984–85 and 1985–86 are latest estimates.
¶ The figures up to 1984–85 cover all transport, while that for 1985–86 is for roads capital only.
• Figures are not available for 1984–85 and 1985–86.