§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the percentage increase in expenditure in the National Health Service between 1978–79 and 1981–82.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergBetween 1978–79 and 1981–82 gross expenditure on the National Health Service has increased by over 70 per cent. Growth in real terms was just over 4½ per cent. After allowing for the savings we asked authorities to make in 1981–82 by better use of resources, growth in services amounted to about 5 per cent.