§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent purchasing health care from the private sector in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [7234]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe amount spent purchasing health care from non-NHS providers—that is, the private 829W sector together with non-profit-making organisations—for each of the last three years is as follows:
£000 1993–94 11,775 1994–95 15,599 1995–96 23,396 It is for health authorities to purchase health care appropriate to the needs of their resident population.