HC Deb 11 December 2002 vol 396 c397W
Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his intention to consult on the proposed new formula for allocating NHS resources following the review by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation; and if he will make a statement. [85741]

Mr. Hutton

The existing formula used to allocate national health service resources has been reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA). ACRA's terms of reference are to advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on the distribution of resources across primary and secondary care. ACRA is an expert body whose membership is made up of individuals with a wide range of relevant experience and expertise from within and outside the NHS. We do not consult on ACRA's recommendations.