§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the difference is between(a) earmarked, (b) hypothecated and (c) ring-fenced in health service resourcing terminology. [60848]
§ Mr. HuttonResource allocation to the National Health Service in recent years has used the term "earmarked" to refer to funds identified at health authority level with an intention that they be spent on the purpose for which they are allocated; the term "hypothecated" to refer to funds identified at national level with an intention that they be spent on the purpose for which they are allocated; and the term "ring fenced" to refer to funds identified by direction under section 97(6) of the National Health Service Act 1977 and which can only be used for the purpose for which they are issued.