HC Deb 02 June 1997 vol 295 cc34-5W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each English health authority its deficit or surplus for 1996–97, its projected deficit or surplus for 1997–98 and the increase or decrease in its waiting lists over the last available year. [776]

Mr. Milburn

The information on the latest estimated surplus/deficit for 1996–97, of each English health authority will be placed in the Library. Plans for 1997–98 are still being agreed. Waiting list figures for each current English health authority are available from June 1996 and the latest available are for 31 December 1996, both of which have been placed in the Library.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities have reported deficit problems relating to their funding arrangements in(a) the current and (b) the previous year. [1517]

Mr. Milburn

I refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) and the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) today.

Health authorities have a statutory responsibility to ensure that their net expenditure remains within their allocated cash limit. In 1996–97 all health authorities achieved this. All health authorities are required to remain within their cash limit for 1997–98.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the problems of deficits currently having to be considered by ministers were first drawn to the attention of his Department. [1519]

Mr. Milburn

The National Health Service Executive monitors the performance of health authorities and trusts continually as part of a cycle of planning and regular monitoring reviews. Information on the financial position of health authorities and trusts is published quarterly and was placed in the Library on 17 March in response to a request from my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Bayley).