§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the expenditure on social services in 1979–80; what estimate he has made of the level of that expenditure in the present year; and what is the real terms percentage change in expenditure between the two years. [20687]
§ Mr. BurnsIn 1979–80, net expenditure on personal social services was £1,314 million. Local authorities have budgeted to spend £7,923 million on personal social services in 1996–97, 129 per cent. more in real terms than in 1979–80.