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Department of Health

If the hon. Gentleman will forgive me, I will not as I have only one minute left. We expect SHAs to have full regard to the financial and service position of each organisation in determining how reserves are generated and applied. However, some SHAs may not be able to deliver a financially balanced position next year without unacceptable service consequences—a point made by a number of my hon. Friends. Where that is so, we will incentivise others to deliver a surplus to cover the situation. The money will not be moved and underspending SHAs will retain the resources for spend in future years, but the system as a whole will balance. There is no trade-off between meeting standards in service and financial rigour. Excellent patient care and financial control are usually associated with each other. They go hand in hand. It being Ten o’clock, Mr. Deputy Speaker proceeded to put forthwith the Questions relating to Estimates which he was directed to put at that hour, pursuant to Standing Order No. 54(4) and (5) (Consideration of estimates) and Order [9 March].