§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health the gross cost of the whole of the National Health Service for Great Britain as a percentage of the gross national product in 1949, 1951 and in each subsequent year.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe figures are as follows:
Per cent. 1949 3.7 1951 3.5 1952 3.6 1953 3.4 1954 3.3 1955 3.3 1956 3.3 1957 3.3 1958 3.4 A firm figure for 1959 is not yet available, but such estimates as can at present be made indicate that the percentage may be about 3.6.
Notes
1.The Gross National Product has been taken at market prices.
2.The cost of the National Health Service has been taken as total expenditure met from all sources of revenue. The figures have been interpolated from those for financial years.