§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the increase in expenditure on the National Health Service in (a) 1980 and (b) 1981; and 119W how much of this expenditure was paid (i) in increased salaries for existing staff and (ii) in salaries for extra staff employed in each year.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeCurrent expenditure on the hospital and community health services in 1980–81 increased by £1,571 million over 1979–80. The provisionally estimated outturn for 1981–82 is £745 million over the 1980–81 level. Staff expenditure increased by £1,236 million between 1979–80 and 1980–81 and is provisionally estimated to increase by £527 million between 1980–81 and 1981–82. Of these increases the cost of pay awards amounted to some £1,228 million and £375 million respectively. The balances represent growth in staff costs. It is not possible centrally to identify separately increased expenditure on additional staff alone.