§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate in real terms the additional costs likely to fall on family practitioner services in 1983–84 and each of the next five years as a result of (a) shorter stays by patients in acute hospitals, (b) the closure of convalescent hospitals and homes and (c) the move to community care of the mentally ill and mentally handicapped.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe relationship between expenditure in the family practitioner services and the hospital and community health services is complex. I know of no way in which the precise effects of changes either way between the two services could be estimated.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current estimate of the likely level of spending by family practitioners in 1983–84 compared with the original estimate and that on which Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer based his July measures on the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe current estimate, based on the Supplementary Estimate class XI/2 (see HC97 of 1983–84) is £2,694.5 millions. The original estimate was £2,593.8 millions. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer had available early versions of the winter Supplementary Estimate before the July measures were taken.