asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest assessment of demographic trends as they affect the demand for health service facilities; and if he will make a statement.

On the basis of the latest population projections published by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, the increase in demographic demand on hospital and community health services is currently estimated to be about 1 per cent. This is not to say, of course, that the only way in which the service can keep pace with increasing demand is by increasing spending by exactly the same proportion.