Lord Jacobasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the total expenditure of the National Health Service (a) for the fiscal year 1996–97 and (b) for each of the fiscal years ending in 1998,1999, 2000 and 2001; and what is the estimated expenditure for 2001–02; and [HL3684]
By how much the total expenditure of the National Health Service increased over the base year 1996–97 adjusted for inflation in the fiscal years ending in 1998,1999,2000 and 2001; and what is the estimated increase for 2001–02. [HL3685]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe information requested is shown in the table. It shows that since 1996–97 National Health Service net expenditure in the United Kingdom has grown by almost 30 per cent in real terms.
When it will make available the latest progress report prepared by the department on bovine spongiform encephalopathy. [HL3725]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)A further progress report on BSE in Great Britain was placed in the Library of the House on Thursday 11 April 2002.
The report outlines the measures which have been take to protect public health since June 2001 and includes the latest EU requirements for testing and surveillance. There is also a section on the protection of animal health which covers controls on animal feed. The epidemiology section shows that the epidemic of BSE in Great Britain continues to decline.
The report is also published on the DEFRA website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/bse/index.html.