§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made with his plans to introduce measures of privatisation into the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergBetween 1980–81 and 1981–82 the use of outside contractors for support services by health authorities increased from £135 million to £159 million and for contractual arrangements for patient care the increase was from £28.5 million to £31.8 million. I expect a further increase in these figures in the current year.