§ 44. Sir David Rentonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money will have been spent by his Department in implementing Section 4 of the National Health Services Reorganisation Act 1973 on family planning in the financial year now ending; how much will be spent during the coming financial year; what progress has been made in expanding family planning services in England and Wales; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleExpansion of family planning services remains a priority for the National Health Service. Expenditure on them in England and Wales in 1976–77 and 1977–78 is estimated to be about £38 million and £45 million respectively, at November 1976 pay and price levels. The proportion of principal general medical practitioners providing these services was 94 per cent. at 1st January 1977. By the end of 1976, all 98 area health authorities were providing direct family planning services, all agency services having been taken over, and 81 had implemented the agreement to include sterilisation for men and women in these services. No figures for clinic and domiciliary services are yet available later than those given in my reply to the right hon. and learned Member on 16th November last.—[Vol. 919, c.484.]