§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if, in the light of an overall overspend on the wheelchair service, and the forecast increase in patient attendance, and the supply of non-powered wheelchairs and of special seating, he will increase the level of funding to the Disablement Services Authority; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what provision is made for inflation and rising salary costs when determining the level of resources for the Disablement Services Authority; and on what basis that provision is decided.
§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Disablement Services Authority has the financial resources to carry out its planned service development in indoor/outdoor wheelchairs and special wheelchair seating; if he will indicate the source of funding for these developments and whether it is to come from a reduction of other savings or from savings of improved efficiency; whether these savings have so far been realised in the two and a quarter years' existence of the authority; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThese are matters that have been addressed in the public expenditure survey, the result of which will be announced shortly.