§ Mr. Haynesasked the Prime Minister if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to provide funds for the National Health Service by asking for money through flag days and other similar events; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the White Paper on the Government Expenditure Plans (Cmnd 7841) shows, Government funding of the NHS is expected to have been £7687 million in 1979–80, and will be £7898 million in 1980–81, about £7920 million for 1981–82, and about £8070 million for 1982–83. All of these figures are at 1979 survey prices. The Government welcome voluntary funding and other forms of voluntary support as a valuable supplement to public provision, and also as a way of bringing communities and their services closer together.