Mr.knkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of NHS health authority management costs in England and Wales; and if he will list each authority in order of management360W costs per head of population, showing (a) annual expenditure, (b) expenditure per head of population and (c) management costs per head of population. [28670]
§ Mr. MilburnHealth authority costs in England were £450 million in 1996–97. Action is in hand to reduce these costs by £18 million in real terms in 1997–98 and then by a further £12 million in real terms in 1998–99. The figures requested have been placed in the Library. Health authority costs in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.