§ Dr. Owenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate by how much the limits of the cost rent scheme for general practitioners were increased both nominally and in real terms in 1984; and whether he has any plans to raise the limits in 1985.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo increase took place in 1984. We last raised the cost limits on 15 August 1983.
Cost limits for the scheme are adjusted by reference to movements in the price index of public sector housing, which reflects tender price movements in England and Wales. Adjustments are made whenever the index forecasts a movement of 5 per cent. or more up or down from the figure obtaining when the limits were last adjusted. Increase or decrease in the cost limits in 1985 will depend on the extent of the movement in the index during that year.