§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those departmental responsibilities which relate to(a) England, (b) England and Wales, (c) England, Wales and Scotland and (d) the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the approximate proportion of the time and budget of his Department which exclusively relates to each of the above categories. [5963]
§ Mr. HoramThe Department of Health is responsible for supporting Ministers in achieving their overall aims, which are to improve the health and well-being of the people of England, and to secure provision of high-quality health and social care for those who need it. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's statutory responsibilities include
Promoting and protecting the health of the nation.Providing a national health service in England.Social care, including oversight of personal social services provided by local authorities in England.The Department works closely with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices on health and social services issues. This is normally incorporated into its day-to-day activities. The Department does not have the time logging facilities and procedures in place which would allow the proportion of the time and budget which exclusively relates to the categories requested to be identified.
Further details of the responsibilities of the Department of Health may be found in its statement of responsibilities and accountabilities, copies of which are available in the Library.