§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the proportion of public expenditure accounted for by the National Health Service for each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe information requested is as follows:
Year Percentage of public spending accounted for by NHS 1979–80 9.6 1980–81 9.8 1981–82 10.4 1982–83 10.4 1983–84* 10.4 * Estimated. The figures are based on net expenditure on the National Health Service in England compared to the public expenditure planning total. Expenditure on the Health Service in other parts of the United Kingdom is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.