HC Deb 11 December 1979 vol 975 cc578-9W
19. Mr. Whitney

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration has been given to the creation of an inspectorate to recommend and monitor economies in the National Health Service.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

In our consultative paper "Patients First" we have referred to the possibility of establishing in each of one or two regions on an experimental basis an advisory group of experienced National Health Service officers with responsibility for monitoring the quality and efficiency of the ways in which health services are managed. We shall consider whether to mount experiments on these lines in the light of comments received.

25. Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the current level of public spending on the National Health Service.

31. Mr. O'Halloran

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the current level of public expenditure in the National Health Service.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

Public spending on the National Health Service has to be geared to what the country can afford and I am satisfied that at present the economy would not sustain more. The Government's public expenditure plans for 1980–81, published on 1 November, indicate an increase in spending on the Health Service of some 3 per cent. next year over the latest estimate of the current year.

49. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the current national expenditure on the National Health Service; and how it compares per head of population with Sweden, West Germany, Switzerland and the United States of America.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I give below an index of total health expenditure per head of the population for 1974, the latest year for which reliable figures are available:

United Kingdom … 100
United States of America … 293
West Germany … 248
Sweden … 296
Switzerland … 196
Source: OECD 1977.

The figures do not, of course, take account of all relevant factors, particularly value for money. I tend to agree with the Royal Commission that we in Britain get quite good value for the money we spend.

On the first part of the hon. Member's question, I refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange (Mr. Parry) and the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. O'Halloran) earlier today.