§ 2.50 p.m.
§ Viscount HanworthMy Lords, in asking the Question in my name on the Order Paper I apologise for the fact that it was put down without knowledge that we were to have a major debate on the subject. Nevertheless, perhaps I may just say—
§ Viscount Hanworth—that I hope that what I am putting forward will be considered important in the major debate.
The Question was to ask Her Majesty's Government: What consideration they have given to increases which may be required in National Health Service expenditure by new research developments which lead to more sophisticated treatments requiring more expensive equipment; and what action they propose to take.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hooper)My Lords, technical developments and ever increasing expectations for health services inform our decision-making 110 about the level of spending in the National Health Service. We will be increasing it by more than £3 billion next year, taking planned total spending to £32.6 billion. These levels of expenditure, coupled with the measures we have taken to improve efficiency, mean that the service is able to keep pace with the demands arising from demographic change and medical advances.
§ Viscount HanworthMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that Answer but it does not in any way meet the point that I was trying to make. We shall be in trouble in the future—
§ Viscount Hanworth—because we shall simply not have—
§ Lord EnnalsMy Lords, does the Minister agree with me on two simple points? First, does she agree that to cut back on fundamental research can rarely be a sensible economy? Secondly, while I accept that drug costs should always be kept under scrutiny, does she agree that it is not a sensible economy to reject new medicines if they have proved to be effective?
§ Baroness HooperMy Lords, we are well aware of the importance of a research and development strategy. It is to that end that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has appointed a new director of research. We are awaiting his plans.
§ Baroness Carnegy of LourMy Lords, does the Minister agree that much medical research aims to increase the use of preventive medicine? That is likely to ease the costs of the National Health Service rather than increase them.
§ Baroness HooperMy Lords, I am happy to agree with my noble friend. Indeed the main thrust of our reforms is in the area of preventive medicine.
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that those of us who were crying "Question" a moment or two ago during the intervention of the noble Viscount, Lord Hanworth, were not seeking to silence him but merely hoping that he would put his question in an acceptable interrogatory form?
§ Viscount HanworthThank you.