§ 57. Mrs. Peacockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much capital expenditure on hospital and community health services in England has increased in real terms since 1978–79.
§ Mr. John PattenCapital expenditure on hospital and community health services in England has increased in real terms by about 10 per cent. between 1978–79 and 1983–84. The actual spending figures for 1983–84 are subject to revision to reflect the extent to which health authorities are transferring sums between their capital and current allocations. For 1984–85 the public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 9143) shows an increase in capital expenditure on the total health capital programme of nearly £50 million. The growth that this implies will depend on prices in the construction industry, but the new level represents a cash increase well above projected general inflation.