Engagements

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 18 Mawrth 1997.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Tony Blair Tony Blair , Sedgefield 12:00, 18 Mawrth 1997

Is the Prime Minister aware that many health authorities have deficits this year that will not be met by real-terms growth next year? To give one example, in north Essex, the deficit is £10 million and the real-terms growth that he is promising is only £9 million. He is not keeping the promise that he says he is making. He may believe that this is a matter of no account whatever, but is he aware that non-emergency surgery is being cancelled up and down the country, that accident and emergency departments are closing, that waiting lists are up and that there are bed and staff shortages in many parts of the national health service? Is that not a real tragedy, and disgraceful handling of the NHS?