§ 41. Mr. CranTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the average family of four now contributes on a weekly basis towards the cost of the National Health Service.
§ Mr. FreemanIt is not possible to provide the information as requested. The major part of NHS funding comes from the consolidated fund and it is not possible to distinguish between the proportion contributed by private taxpayers and taxation raised from other sources. However, NHS expenditure in 1989–90 per average family of four persons is estimated at £35 per week.
§ 43. Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the variations in cost of treatment between different health districts.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Health Service indicators published by the Department every year show a wide degree of variation in costs of treatment between different authorities. The indicators of treatment expenditure per consultant episode for 1987–88 published in July varied by a factor of three. There may be good reasons for variations and district and regional management will wish to examine them carefully to see whether there is any scope for improvements. The proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients" will also help to reduce unjustifiable cost variations.