§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list all those district health authorities which have (a) ceased and (b) reduced expenditure on private contract services for each category of private contract work for the National Health Service in the last five years;
(2) what has been the percentage annual increase since 1972 in National Health Service expenditure deflated by movements in National Health Service pay and prices after taking account of (i) demographic change and the increased health service demands from the growing number of elderly people, and (ii) the higher annual cost of medical technology rising faster than inflation.
§ Mr. NewtonI shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.