§ Mr. MadelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health by how much expenditure on the national health service has increased in south Bedfordshire in real and cash terms since May 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellThe South Bedfordshire health authority was established on 1 April 1982. The annual accounts of the authority record total revenue expenditure of £30.80 million (cash) for 1982–83 and £57.03 million (cash) for 1989–90 (the latest year available). Those figures represent increases of 85.2 per cent. in cash terms and 28.3 per cent. in real terms (measured at 1989–90 prices).
Prior to 1 April 1982 the authority's predecessor health district formed part of the larger Bedfordshire area health authority. For Bedfordshire as a whole the annual accounts of the relevant health authorities record total revenue expenditure of £32.30 million (cash) for 1978–79 and £104.64 million (cash) for 1989–90. Those figures represent increases of 224 per cent. in cash terms and 38.5 per cent. in real terms (measured at 1989–90 prices).