§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in(a) cash and (b) real terms (i) the final cash limit for general practice fundholder budgets in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes in 1992–93, (ii) the initial cash limit for such budgets in 1996–97 and (iii) the sums of public money planned to be available for GP fundholder budgets in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes and for Buckinghamshire health authority in 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [14294]
§ Mr. Malone[holding answer 4 February 1997]: Information about planned general practice fundholder budgets in Buckinghamshire for 1997–98 is not available. Figures for 1992–93 and 1996–97 are in the table. The figures are not comparable because, for example, of the expansion of services in the fundholding scheme and the incorporation of management allowances within the fund. For these reasons, a real terms comparison is not meaningful.
GP fundholder budgets in Buckinghamshire (cash) Year GP fundholder budgets (£ million) Number of GP fundholders 1992–93 117.0 99 1996–97 87.9 265 1 Excludes staff element of budget, for which 1992–93 information is not available.