National Health Service (Cost)

HC Deb 07 February 1990 vol 166 cc701-2W

Mr. Ralph Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the contribution is for an average family of four, on a weekly basis, towards the cost of the National Health Service(a) at the latest available date, (b) in 1979 and (c) at constant prices.

Mr. Freeman

It is not possible to provide the information requested. The greatest part of National Health Service 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 it is possible to calculate figures for National Health Service expenditure per notional family of four and these are as follows:

	£ per week
1989–90	35
1979–80	13
11979–80	27
1 At current (ie. 1989–90) prices.