HC Deb 10 February 1988 vol 127 cc263-4W
Mr. Wheeler

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will conduct an urgent exercise within the European Community to compare the various funding arrangements for hospital and health care services; how private and taxpayer funding contributes to these services and by what proportion; and what personal control and accountability the individual has over the provision of health services.

Mr. Newton

Much of the information referred to by my hon. Friend is already available in published form in this country. In particular, the funding arrangements for state health systems are summarised in "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the European Communities" a copy of which is in the Library.

We shall of course take appropriate account of this information, supplemented by further inquiries where this seems sensible, in conducting the review announced recently by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.