Clause 9 - Funding of Local Health Boards
NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Bill
3:00 pm
Mr Don Touhig (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Welsh Office; Islwyn, Labour/Co-operative)
The hon. Gentleman will forgive me for going over what happened in 1998 when we passed the Government of Wales Act. Funding decisions for the Welsh Assembly derive from the Barnett formula and the Assembly has complete autonomy in deciding how to spend the money. Decisions to increase public spending on health will have consequential effects on the Barnett formula that carry over into Wales, but the Assembly can determine whether to use the money for health or something else. Under the devolved settlement, it is entirely within the power of the Assembly.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 9 ordered to stand part of the Bill.