To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table listing United Kingdom public expenditure on health as a percentage of gross national product together with comparable figures in other European Community countries.

It is estimated that total United Kingdom spending on the NHS in 1991–92 will amount to 5·6 per cent. of GDP, rising to 5·7 per cent. in 1992–93. This compares with a figure of 4·7 per cent. in 1978–79. We do not have comparable figures for other European Community countries.