§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the terms of his loan to fund Lothian health board's deficit.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythSubject to the approval of Parliament, I am providing additional resources to enable Lothian to meet the overspend of its 1989–90 cash limit. This is a short term measure which will add to the board's cumulative deficit in 1990–91. I have asked the board to prepare proposals designed to bring its underlying income and expenditure into balance in the medium term. In the light of the decisions on the board's proposals I will consider with the board the management of its cumulative deficit.