asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the annual percentage change in revenue input volume for hospital and community health services each year since 1979; and what was the annual percentage change forecast each previous year from 1978 onwards.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 8 December 1986 at columns 69–70 for actual changes in the purchasing power of hospital and community health services current spending.Since the introduction of cash planning from 1982–83, no forecasts have been made for changes in purchasing power. Forecasts for earlier years are not readily available on a basis consistent with my earlier reply owing to changes in the classification of HCHS current spending.