asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now increase the annual budget of Tayside health board to ensure that there is a 1·5 per cent. annual increase to take account of demographic changes in populatiin and advances in medical technology.

The SHARE formula ensures that Tayside health board receives a fair proportion of the additional resources made available to the National Health Service in Scotland to take account of demographic change and technological advance. In addition the Government are encouraging the board to initiate projects to improve efficiency and thereby release additional funds for patient care.