§ Mr. CabornTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what functions his Department carries out at the regional level; where the regional offices are located in each of the regions; what staff are employed and at what grades; what proportion of his Department's budget is spent in each of the regions; and what geographical boundaries determine his Department's regions.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department of Health is not organised on a regional basis. Three functions are, however, provided from a number of locations across England chosen so that the functions may be performed effectively and economically. These are the regional medical service (RMS 170 staff), provided by senior medical officers and medical officers; social services inspectorate (130 staff) provided by assistant chief inspectors and inspectors: and NHS audit (about 200 staff) provided by 10 statutory auditors at principal level and scheduled to become part of the Audit Commission at 1 October 1990. All of these functions are also supported by administrative staff who are included in the figures quoted. The functions of the RMS will progressively be transferred to regional health authorities, family practitioner committees and the Department of Social Security from 1 April 1990. The transfer of responsibility will be complete by 1 April 1991.
In addition some 700 DH headquarters staff work outside London. The regionally based staff account for approximately 12 per cent. of the DH's manpower budget. Non-manpower costs are not identified separately.