HC Deb 04 November 1986 vol 103 cc396-7W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the revenue expenditure on health and community health services each year from 1974–75 giving information adjusted by (a) the domestic product deflator, (b) National Health Service pay and prices and (c) the retail price index for Scotland.

Mr. John MacKay

The information is given in the table. No separate NHS pay and price factors are maintained for Scotland. The figures at column 3 have therefore been constructed using NHS pay and price index data maintained for England by the Department of Health and Social Security. The amounts at column 4 have been converted using the Retail Price Index, which is constructed on a United Kingdom basis. Since the RPI measures the movement in the cost of goods and services purchased by an average domestic household, it is not an appropriate indicator of cost movements in Health Service expenditure.

Government agencies in giving advice to the public concerning dangers arising from radioactive fallout from Chernobyl; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ancram

The Government are examining carefully their response to the Chernobyl accident to consider what lessons can be learnt from all aspects of the event, including the giving of advice and information to the public, for application in any possible future accident involving the release of radioactivity.