§ Sir Eldon GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of the National Health Service in 1957 and in 1986; and what is the change in real terms, after allowing for inflation.
§ Mr. NewtonTotal National Health Service expenditure in Great Britain in 1957–58 was approximately £720 million* and in 1986–87 was £18,920 million. This represents an increase in real terms (compared with general inflation) of 207 per cent.
* This is an estimated figure which has been adjusted to exclude certain local authority health spending which since 1969–70 has not been part of NHS provision.