HC Deb 27 January 1998 vol 305 cc197-8W
23. Mr. Ivan Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he intends to take to introduce a national schedule of reference costs in the NHS. [23438]

Mr. Milburn

The National Health Service Executive has developed a work programme to deliver an initial reference cost schedule, by August 1998. This will cover all surgical, and limited medical, inpatient and day case activity. It is intended to extend the services included within the shortest practical timescale.