§ Mr. Mallonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what assessment he has made of the implications for the level of employment in the ambulance 544W service within the Southern health board area of the financial cut-backs imposed on the board by his Department;
(2) what assessment he has made of the implications for the numbers employed in the home help service within the Southern health board area of the financial cut-backs imposed on the board by his Department:
(3) what assessment he has made of the implications fort the hours worked in the home help service within the Southern health board area of the financial cut-backs imposed on the board by his Department;
(4) what assessment he has made of the implications for the numbers employed by the Southern health board area of the financial cut-backs imposed on the board by his Department;
(5) what assessment he has made of the implications for the number of operative ambulance vehicles used within the Southern health board area of the financial cut-backs imposed on the board by his Department;
(6) what account he has made of the implications for the level of hospital provision in the Southern health board area of the financial cut-backs imposed on the board by his Department.
§ Mr. NeedhamThere have been no cut-backs in the financial allocations to the Southern health and social services board. Since 1979–80 its allocations have in fact been increased by 15.5 per cent. in real terms. In common with all other health authorities throughout the United Kingdom, the Southern board has to live within its budget and to improve its efficiency in order to free resources to meet emerging pressures for both service development and pay increases. The detailed measures taken to achieve these objectives are a matter for the board.