HC Deb 13 April 1988 vol 131 cc194-6W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) following the announcement of additional money to the National Health Service on 16 December 1987, what he now expects the real growth in National Health Service resources to be during the current year;

(2) if he will detail the calculations supporting his statement, Official Report, 16 December 1987, column 1102, that National Health Service expenditure will grow by 3 per cent. in 1988–89.

Mr. Newton

[pursuant to his reply, 22 March 1988, c. 88]: I regret that my earlier reply to the hon. Member contained an error. The reference to a forecast of general inflation of 4.25 per cent. for 1988–89 should have read 4.5 per cent. This does not affect the rest of my reply.