HC Deb 12 March 2004 vol 418 cc1828-9W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2004,Official Report, column 720W, on respiratory disease, how the estimated cost of treating respiratory disease as a percentage of expenditure was calculated; and what the latest corresponding cash equivalent figures are. [159480]

Dr. Ladyman

In 1996 the NHS Executive published "Burdens of Disease: A Discussion Document" which is the source of the 13 January answer on estimated cost. This document draws together data from various sources primarily between 1989–94.

The method of calculation is quite detailed and a copy of the Burdens publication will be placed in the Library to explain the derivation of the estimates.

The latest corresponding cash equivalent figures are not available as the estimates of the percentage breakdown are now 10-years-old and would not necessarily reflect the breakdown of current expenditure.