§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the estimated costs of the Government's plans to reduce Scottish NHS waiting lists in the years(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [48458]
§ Mr. Galbraith£44.5 million of extra funding has been made available to the NHS in Scotland in 1998–99 specifically to drive down waiting lists and waiting times. The additional funding has been made available on a recurrent basis to achieve sustained reductions in waiting lists. No decisions have been made on funding for the year 1999–2000.