§ Mr. Nealeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the resources allocated to the National Health Service have increased in real terms as measured against the retail price index in 1982–83 as compared with 1978–79.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeYes. The increased cost to the economy of NHS expenditure growth between 1978–79 and 1982–83 has been about 16 per cent. in real terms when measured against the retail price index.