§ Mr. GarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers are available to health commissions to subsidise public transport services to NHS facilities. [21500]
§ Mr. HoramA district health authority may exercise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's power under section 2(b) of the National Health Service Act 1977 to do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of a duty under that Act, but only to such an extent as is necessary for the proper exercise of other functions which are its responsibility.
Health commissions will decide in the light of local circumstances whether they may subsidise public transport services.