§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what resources he is making available to those health authorities seeking funding for new methods of dealing with the problem of low birthweight babies in order to reduce the perinatal and neonatal mortality rate;
(2) if he is satisfied with the level of resources available through inner city partnership schemes to assist health authorities in introducing family worker projects concerned with the problem of low birthweight babies.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Government believe that a specific central allocation of funds for the development of maternity services is not appropriate. It is for health authorities to plan and fund services in the light of local needs and priorities.
Resources available through inner city partnerships are not earmarked for any specific initiative. However, the needs of areas of social deprivation are taken into account in the current method of allocating resources to regional health authorities.