§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the estimated costs of the Government's plans to reduce NHS waiting lists in the years(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [48461]
§ Mr. MilburnWe have provided an extra £417 million to tackle waiting lists in England in 1998–99. By next April we will deliver a record reduction to bring them below the 1.16 million level inherited from the previous administration. This will be the first step in delivering the pledge to bring them down by 100,000 from the inherited figure. Resources for 1999–2000 and beyond are being considered as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.