§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to take to ensure the proportion of gross domestic product spent in Wales on the National Health Service is increased to the levels prevailing in the member states of the European Community.
§ Mr. GristThis question appears to be based on a mistaken premise. In 1985—the latest year for which338W comprehensive information is available—the mean level of GDP spent on public sector health care in member states of the European Community (excluding Luxembourg) was 5.5 per cent. while the proportion of GDP spent in Wales on the NHS in 1985–86 was 7.3 per cent. Since 1985–86 the Government have increased spending on the NHS in Wales by nearly 16 per cent. in real terms.