§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what percentage of Welsh health authorities' current budgets are allocated for extra-contractual referrals.
(2) what is the estimated expenditure by the Welsh health authorities on extra-contractual referrals in April and May; and how it relates to the budget set aside by those authorities for such referrals.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettHealth authorities have made provision in their budgets for the cost of anticipated extra-contractual referrals—ECRs. The amounts in each case depend on the expected pattern of referrals and the extent to which these have been covered by contracts. Not all authorities have reached final agreements on contracts and which services will be provided "off contract". It is therefore not possible to provide the information in the form requested at present. Authorities have been asked to give details of ECRs for the first two months of this year and to indicate whether or not their provision is adequate to meet the actual demand assessed on this basis. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman when this information is available.