To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on funding for care of the elderly in the Hemsworth constituency in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [109867]

[holding answer 28 April 2003]: Wakefield has benefited from the increases in social services funding in recent years. In 2002–03—the authority's total social services resources increased, on a like for like basis, by 5.9 per cent, which followed on from a 6.9 per cent, increase in 2001–02. In 2003–04, Wakefield has received a 3.9 per cent, increase in their personal social services formula spending share. In addition, they received substantial additional resources from grants paid by the Department of Health. Most resources are allocated on an unhypothecated basis and it is for Wakefield to decide how much to use on services for older people.