§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration was given in the calculation of the allocation of funds to Lothian health board for 1990–91 to(a) clearing the deficit from the current year and (b) avoiding the creation of a new deficit in 1990–91.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 22 February 1990]: The prime determinant in health boards' allocations is the population for whom the board has to provide hospital and community health services. Account is taken of factors such as the age, sex and morbidity of each board's population. Allowance is also made for the movement of patients between boards and the provision of certain services by only some boards. Boards are expected to plan services within their annual allocations.