§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total Health Service expenditure per head of population in Scotland for each of the last two years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythTotal gross expenditure on the National Health Service in Scotland per head of population in 1986–87 was £418 and in 1987–88 £457. The corresponding figure for 1988–89 is expected to be £504.
As my right hon. and learned Friend announced on 13 December we plan to spend some £2,683 million on the National Health Service in Scotland next year. This will result in an increase in real terms of about 32 per cent. over the level of expenditure in 1979–80. These figures clearly demonstrate the Government's commitment to the continued development and improvement of health services in Scotland.