HC Deb 13 December 1983 vol 50 cc424-5W
25. Mr. Leigh

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will reduce public expenditure on the National Health Service.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

No. We have provided the NHS with substantially increased resources and plan further increases in the future. But we also require the service to make sustained efforts to improve its productivity and to provide the public with value for money.

43. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what years since 1970 there has been a reduction in real terms in England in total expenditure on the National Health Service.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Since 1970 there have been reductions in gross expenditure on the NHS in England in cost terms, measured against the retail price index, in only two years: 1976–77 and 1977–78; of 1 per cent. and 3 per cent. respectively.

48. Mr. Ioan Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to monitor the effects of recent cuts in the National Health Service on the treatment of patients.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Health authority spending power is at about the same level this year as last year. With only modest improvements in cost performance and efficiency this should enable developments in services, not cuts. We shall be reviewing regions' progress in developing their services as part of next year's annual review of their performance.