§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the expenditure on computers by the National Health Service in 1971, and how this compares with the previous five years.
§ Mr. AlisonTaking together expenditure on equipment, accommodation, and development and running costs, the estimated expenditure for the National Health Service in England for the financial year 1971–72 is £5.2 million. This excludes (1) any costs incurred by Local Authorities on computer installations partially used for local health authority services, and (2) the cost of Departmental computers partially used for services for health authorities.
Figures on the same basis for the previous four financial years are:
£ million 1967–68 0.89 1968–69 1.83 1969–70 2.57 1970–71 4.16 These figures are mainly derived from a review of National Health Service computing in England undertaken last year by my Department.
Figures for 1966–67 are not available.