§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of the gross domestic product was spent on the National Health Service in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what was the percentage in 1978.
§ Mr. FowlerTotal health care spending in the United Kingdom represented 6.1 per cent. of gross domestic product in 1984; the corresponding figure for 1978 was 5.3 per cent. In 1984, 5.5 per cent. of GDP was spent on the National Health Service as compared to 4.9 per cent. in 1978.
§ Mr. KnoxDoes my right hon. Friend agree that these figures show the high priority that the Government have given to the National Health Service compared to that given to the service by their predecessors?
§ Mr. FowlerYes. The figures show that we are spending substantially more resources than were spent by the previous Labour Government. We are building more hospitals and, above all, we are treating more patients. That shows the Government's commitment to the National Health Service.