§ 36. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether in view of the fact that expenditure on health services in this country is a lower proportion of national income than in other advanced countries, and the rate of increase is slower he will propose substantial increases.
§ Sir K. JosephInternational comparisons of this sort are not reliable guides. The Government have already announced an additional £110 million over the next four years.
§ Mr. JenkinsThe Government always use international comparisons when they redound to their advantage. Will they occasionally use them when they go against them? When the right hon. Gentleman introduces his new scheme, will he make sure that it does not include any element of necessity to disclose means to secure benefits? Many people object in principle to this. Will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that none of the benefits will involve disclosure of means to obtain them?
§ Sir K. JosephOur health charges and the remissions from them will be based on exactly the same principles as those in use under the last Government.