§ Mr. BurnettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways his Department's proposals to change the funding formula used to allocate National Health Service funds between health authorities reflects the sparsity of areas; and if he will make a statement. [17453]
§ Mr. MilburnA geographical cost adjustment for emergency ambulance services was introduced into the national weighted capitation formula used to inform 1998–99 revenue allocations to health authorities. This includes a measure of rural sparsity.