§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his department's estimate of health service inflation for 1997–98: and what was the level of the GDP deflator notified to his Department for 1997–98. [6800]
§ Mr. MilburnThe Department of Health does not forecast health service inflation. Her Majesty's Treasury has notified the Department that the Gross Domestic Product deflator is forecast to be 2.75 per cent. in 1997–98.