§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will place in the Library tables showing total revenue expenditure and capital expenditure in each health district from 1982–83 (a) in cash terms, (b) 1982–83 prices, using the gross domestic product deflator and (c) at 1982–83 prices, using the National Health Service pay and prices/National Health Service capital deflator;
(2) whether he will place in the Library tables showing total revenue expenditure and capital expenditure in each National Health Service region in each year from 1974–75 (a) in cash terms, (b) at 1974–75 prices using gross domestic product deflator and (c) at 1974–75 prices using National Health Service pay and prices/National Health Service capital deflator.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 9 February 1987, c. 139]: Tables showing regional health authority expenditure for the years 1974–75 to 1984–85 and district health authority expenditure for the years 1982–83 to 1984–85 112W were placed in the Library as stated in my predecessor's reply to the hon. Member on 13 January 1986 at column 507. The cash figures in these tables were adjusted to 1983–84 prices using the gross domestic product deflator and the regional figures were also adjusted to a 1983–84 base by reference to centrally assessed movements in NHS pay and prices for revenue and in construction prices for capital. The cost of recalculating the regional figures to a 1974–75 base and the district figures to a 1982–83 base would be disproportionate but tables have now been placed in the Library showing regional and district figures for 1985–86 in the same form as those given previously.
As stated in my predecessor's reply, it is inappropriate to revalue district health authority expenditure by reference to centrally assessed movements in NHS pay and prices, because the composition of that expenditure can differ substantially from the national average. Capital expenditure on major schemes is charged to regional health authority accounts and to that extent comparisons cannot usefully be drawn between district health authority capital expenditure figures.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to answer the questions about National Health Service expenditure to which a holding reply was given on 9 February, Official Report, column 139.
§ Mr. NewtonI replied to the hon. Member today.