§ Mr. DarlingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the remit of the health services unit of the Common Services Agency headed by Dr. David Steel; when the unit was set up; what has been the staffing, and at what grades in each year since its establishment; what the budget of the334W unit has been in each year since its inception; how it has been funded to date; what plans he has for its future funding; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 9 March 1988]: The function of the joint secretariat headed by Dr. David Steel (which is located with but not part of the Common Services Agency) is to provide secretariat services for the health board and Common Services Agency chairmen's group, the health board and CSA general managers group and the Scottish health management efficiency group. The secretariat was established in 1986 and consisted of the secretary and a higher clerical officer. An assistant secretary was appointed later in the year, and a personal secretary in 1987. Another assistant secretary was added when servicing the general managers group began towards the end of 1987. Financial allocations of £70,000 in 1986–87 and £72,000 in 1987–88 were made from class XVI, vote 14, subhead N10 (7). I propose that from April 1988 this will continue to apply to SCOTMEG; but the secretariat costs of the chairmen's and general managers' groups will be met from vote 14, subhead J1.