§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much has been spent on the construction of new National Health Service hospitals at constant prices in each of the past five years; and what percentage of National Health Service expenditure this has represented.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergFigures available are for the sums spent on new construction in the hospital and community health services for the years 1976–77 to 1980–81 and these are shown below at constant prices. Figures for 1981–82 are not yet available.
Estimated average 1980–81 price levels Years Capital expenditure on new construction in the Hospital and Community Health Services £ million Per cent. of total capital expenditure Per cent. of total revenue and capital expenditure 1976–77 559.7 80.5 7.9 1977–78 412.1 76.0 5.8 1978–79 409.3 73.6 5.6 1979–80 389.7 76.4 5.3 1980–81 419.0 75.3 5.7 Note: Expenditure on new construction is mainly on building new hospitals or the reconstruction of existing hospitals but it also includes expenditure on upgrading schemes. It does not include expenditure on plant, machinery and vehicles.