asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of gross domestic product was spent on health care in the following countries (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the United States of America, (c) West Germany and (d) France in 1979, 1980 and 1981 and at the latest available date in 1982.

It is not possible to make reliable comparisons of the share of national income spent on health services because of substantial differences between the systems of health care provided and the different ways in which spending on health is shown in national accounts. Nor do comparisons take account of differences in value for money. Subject to those substantial qualifications, figures calculated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for 1980 or the nearest available year, are as follows: