HC Deb 15 January 1985 vol 71 cc113-4W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the increase in National Health Service expenditure in Great Britain between 1978–79 and 1984–85 on drugs, family practitioner services, and labour costs, respectively; and how this increase compares with inflation over the same period.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Over the period between 1978–79 and 1984–85 it is expected that cash expenditure in Great Britain on drugs and family practitioner services (excluding drugs) will have increased by 13 and 16 per

perinatal and infant deaths amongst ethnic minority communities in the United Kingdom in each single year since 1979.

Mr. John Patten

Figures for the United Kingdom are not collected. The available figures for England and Wales are shown in the table; they relate to the country of birth of the mother, and therefore not necessarily to her ethnic group.

cent. per year respectively. Over the same period it is estimated that expenditure in Great Britain on hospital and community health services staff (and agency staff) will have grown by about 12.5 per cent. per year. It is expected that the inflation rate, as measured by the GDP deflator, will have averaged 10 per cent. per year over the same period.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what main components of the National Health Service expenditure in Great Britain have increased by more than the rate of inflation between 1978–79 and 1984–85.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

All the main components of expenditure on the National Health Service in Great Britain have increased by more than the general rate of inflation between 1978–79 and 1984–85. Over the period, cash spending on hospital and community health services has increased by nearly 13 per cent. per year; cash spending on family practitioner services and centrally financed services has increased by 14.5 and 15.5 per cent. per year respectively. Capital spending has increased by 13 per cent. per year. Inflation, as measured by the growth of the GDP deflator, has averaged 10 per cent. per year over the same period.