§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government will reassess the priorities and860W planning framework for health and social services; and how future priorities and planning frameworks will take account of the needs of people with disabilities. [138462]
§ Dr. LadymanThe Government has introduced a three year planning cycle to allow for greater stability in National Health Service and social care planning. We are aiming to announce the priorities and planning framework for the next three year period, 2005–06 to 2007–08, in autumn 2004. No decisions have yet been made about the contents of this priorities and planning framework.