§ 22. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health what arrangements have been made for the regular publication of a short summary of health service statistics.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithA summary of health service statistics is given in the Annual Reports of my Department. The question of further or alternative statistical statements is at present being considered.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopDoes not the Minister recognise that, valuable as they are, the annual reports are not as a rule published until at least a year has gone by; and that there is need for public education as to the real cost of the National Health Service, and that it should be examined more carefully?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithWhat I am hoping is that we shall get a summary table of the National Health Service statistics included in the Monthly Digest of Statistics issued by the Central Statistical Office. I think that would meet the point the hon. Gentleman has in mind.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether he can keep up to date the figures which were produced by the Guillebaud Committee, which gave some very valuable bases for estimating the actual cost of the health services?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI noted what the hon. Gentleman had to say about that in last Tuesday's debate, and I hope, if I am successful in catching Mr. Speaker's eye in the debate on Wednesday, that I might say a word about that topic then.