To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to increase spending for Hartlepool Primary Care Trust (a) to match and (b) to exceed the English average for spending per capita for primary care trusts. (111892)

The 2006-07 and 2007-08 revenue allocations made to primary care trusts (PCTs) totalled £135 billion, £64 billion to PCTs in 2006-07 and £70 billion in 2007-08. Over the two years covered by this allocation PCTs will receive an average increase of 19.5 per cent.

Hartlepool PCT received allocations of £131.9 million in 2006-07 and will receive £144.2 million in 2007-08. These represent a cash increase of £23.7 million or 19.7 per cent. over the two years, compared to a national average of 19.5 per cent.

Hartlepool PCT already receives a higher allocation per capita than the average for England. Hartlepool PCT received an unweighted allocation per head of £1,464 in 2006-07 compared to an England average of £1,274. In 2007-08, the PCT will receive an unweighted allocation per head of £1,600 compared to an England average of £1,388.