§ Mr. Matesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the National Health Service budget, in both money and percentage terms, was devoted to mental health and the mentally handicapped, geriatric care, and facilities for the registered disabled, in the last convenient period.
§ Dr. OwenThe accounts of the former hospital and local health authorities do not provide information in the form requested, but estimates for England in 1973–74 are as follows:
Estimated expenditure £ million Percentage of total NHS expenditure Per cent. Mental health, including mentally handicapped 310 17 Geriatric care and chronic sick age 65 and over 170 9 Younger physically handicapped* 20 1 * Information is not available to enable separate estimates to be made of National Health Service expenditure on handicapped persons registered with local authorities under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948.