HL Deb 17 October 1995 vol 566 c667

2.50 p.m.

Lord Dean of Beswick asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to the report by Healthcare 2000 under the chairmanship of Sir Duncan Nichol.

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, while not agreeing with all the conclusions, the Government consider the Healthcare 2000 report a useful contribution to the health debate.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for her reply and obviously her helpful comment about the future of the health services. Is the Minister aware that some of us feel a little doubtful about the quarter from which the advice has come, bearing in mind Sir Duncan Nichol's record as the chief executive of the National Health Service under which the computer scandals in Wessex took place and those in the West Midlands, which he tried to suppress by refusing to publish the reports of the district auditors in those matters?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, of course another member of this particular organisation responsible for the report is Patricia Hewitt, who is also a member of the Commission on Social Justice.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, does the noble Baroness agree that one of the lessons that can be learnt from the report to which the Question refers is how dangerous it is for anybody considering this matter to ignore the probability that the rate of growth in the economy is likely to continue for the next few years? Does she further agree that it is also highly possible that governments may be elected that will drastically reduce unemployment and poverty in this country, which are two of the principal causes of many of the claims on the National Health Service?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, it would be very unwise for anyone reading this report to ignore the growth in the economy, not only that which has taken place, but that which is forecast. It is quite right that the commission which undertook this work should have considered demographic changes. But when we look at the funding of the National Health Service, it has increased by 3 per cent. per year since 1979, unlike during the last Labour administration when there was a cut of 2.7 per cent.