§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many area health authorities spent less per head of population than Walsall Area Health Authority in each of the years 1972 to 1975; and how many areas spent less than Walsall in these years on community health services.
§ Dr. OwenOf the 90 area health authorities in England seven authorities in 1974–75 spent less in total per head of resident population on health services and 33 authorities spent less on community health services than Walsall Area Health Authority. Prior to 1974–75 the services were not administered in the same areas and comparable figures for earlier years are not available. This comparison takes no account of people who are provided410W with treatment outside their area of residence, or of the effect on health service costs in some areas of such factors as the teaching of medical and dental students and London weighting payable to staff.