§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Prime Minister if it is his policy that, provided the economy continues to perform well, UK health spending expressed as a percentage of GDP will reach the level of the European Union average by the end of 2004–05. [146959]
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 28 March 2000,Official Report, column 104W.
The public spending plans for 2004–05 have not yet been announced. It is not therefore possible to provide a figure for total health care in 2004–05.