§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1973 in terms of (a) current prices and (b) constant prices (i) the cost of the National Health Service as a proportion of the gross national product and (ii) the cost of the National Health Service per head of population.
§ Dr. VaughanThe information requested is as follows:
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will increase central Government funding to the National Health Service to compensate for the £45 million extra costs resulting from the increase in value added tax during 1979–80 and the £65 million in a full year.
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§ Mr. Patrick JenkinAs I have already made clear, there can be no increase in the cash limits for Health Service expenditure in 1979–80 on account of the increase in VAT.
§ Mr. Moyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to implement the agreement provisionally reached between his predecessor and certain trade unions and associations for a local disputes procedure in the National Health Service; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinNegotiation of a national agreement for resolving local disputes in the National Health Service is a matter for the staff management sides of the General Whitley Council. Accordingly, the previous Administration referred to the council the proposals put to it by representatives of certain trade unions and associations. Negotiations are proceeding.