§ Dr. Owenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the most recent estimates for changes in hospital and community health service pay and prices and input volumes for 1985–86.
§ Mr. HayhoeHospital and community health services' pay and prices are expected to rise by 5.2 per cent. in 1985–86; this estimate will be revised when final information about pay and prices becomes available after the end of the financial year. The figure of 5.2 per cent. compares with the cash increase of 6 per cent. (after allowing for transfers from revenue to capital in 1984–85) provided for in 1985–86. The actual outturn will not be known for some time; a specific uncertainty attaches to the scale of possible tranfers between revenue and capital.
§ Dr. Owenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the most recent estimates for components of the hospital and community health service programme budget for 1985–86.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe Department's programme budget analysis is carried out retrospectively when the necessary activity and cost data become available. On the normal timetable the hospital and community health service programme budget will be compiled in the first quarter of next year.