§ Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the weekly average catering allowance per head in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales for patients in the (i) acute, (ii) geriatric and (iii) psychiatric and mentally handicapped sectors of the NHS;
(2) if he will publish the percentage annual increase since 1970 in the catering allowance per head for (a) acute, (b) geriatric and (c) psychiatric and mentally handicapped patients at NHS establishments and the corresponding percentage increase in the food price index.
§ Mr. MoyleIn England there is no centrally determined allowance for catering for patients in NHS hospitals; it is for health authorities to decide within 257W their overall cash limits how much should be spent on this. My Department recommends levels of expenditure on provisions, in a form which authorities can revalue monthly by reference to changes in the cost of relevant items.
January 1970 January 1977 Percentage change £ £ Acute patients: upper limit … … … … … … … 1.96 5.79 196.0 lower limit … … … … … … … 1.81 5.36 196.0 Geriatric patients (from 1972) … … … … … 1.81 5.36 196.0 Psychiatric and mentally handicapped patients … … 1.77 5.23 196.0 Change in the retail prices index (Group I—Food) same period — — 195.0 I have asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to write to my hon. Friend.
With regard to Wales I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to his other Question today.