§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the cost of providing free nursing care for elderly people outside hospital. [127495]
§ Mr. HuttonNational Health Service expenditure on community nursing for people aged 65 and over was £836 million in 1998–99, the latest year for which figures are available. Local council expenditure on nursing home care amounted to £669 million in 1998–99. Extending free nursing care to everyone in nursing homes assessed as needing it would cost an additional sum. The amount would depend on defining the nursing element of nursing home care.