§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will state the expenditure on the National Health Service as a percentage of gross domestic product for the years 1960, 1970, 1979, 1983, 1985 and 1988;
(2) if he will state the total National Health Service expenditure for 1960, 1970, 1979, 1983, 1985 and 1988.
§ Mr. MellorThe table shows gross expenditure on the NHS in cash terms and as a percentage of GDP for the stated years. Figures for 1960 and 1970 have been taken from the Royal Commission on the National Health Service. Figures for later years are taken from Departmental records which are kept on a financial year basis. Data for 1988–89 are not yet available.
Gross expenditure on the NHS Year Expenditure, £ million Percentage of GDP 1960 861 3.8 1970 2,024 4.7 1979–80 9,501 4.6 1983–84 16,050 5.2 1985–86 18,277 5.1