HC Deb 27 July 2000 vol 354 c830W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he made of the current state of indebtedness of the 26 health trusts in Wales when preparing his announcement of additional funding to the NHS in Wales. [118411]

Mr. Hanson

Additional funding for Wales announced in the budget as a result of increases in health spending in England was determined by applying the Barnett formula.

Decisions on how this funding is spent, including the effect on the indebtedness of Trusts in Wales, are a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning the reform of the NHS in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [132379]

Mr. Hanson

Over the past year there have been regular discussions about the NHS in Wales between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and me and the Assembly First Secretary and Health Secretary.

Our discussions have covered many issues including reform and modernisation particularly at the time of the three meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Health.

Any decisions on reform in Wales are however for the National Assembly to decide and their main plans were set out in Jane Hutt's statement to a plenary session of the National Assembly on 12 July.