asked the Minister for Health the estimated deficit for the eight health boards on their current accounts for the year ending 1986; and if he will introduce a Supplementary Estimate to offset the over expenditure.
Written Answers. - Health Boards Deficit.
17.
The allocations notified to health boards for 1986 require that expenditure be contained within the approved levels. The boards are expected to take all possible steps to achieve this requirement in the year. Some boards are, however, having difficulty in meeting the targets set, but are continuing to make progress in reducing the overall level of expenditure. My Department are in regular contact with the boards and are monitoring the budgetary position closely.
As this position is changing constantly, I am not prepared to comment on the performance of individual boards at this stage. To do so would be to accept that no further steps can be taken to bring expenditure to within approvals.
I recently introduced a Supplementary Estimate for a token sum of £1,000. This was to enable me to use the benefit of additional Appropriations-in-aid (health contributions and receipts under EC regulations) amounting to over £8 million. I have used this additional sum to provide for the bonus payment of health cash allowances at Christmas, to provide cash for research bodies following the non-continuation of the Hospitals Sweepstakes and to ease somewhat the overdraft requirements of health agencies in 1986.
The additional resources were used as follows:
|
£m |
|
|
Bonus payment of allowances |
0.800 |
|
GMS Payments Board |
3.000 |
|
Research bodies |
2.000 |
|
Additional balances of grants |
2.326 |