asked the Minister for Health if he will furnish an estimate of the approximate annual cost of establishing and operating a free no-means-test general practitioner, medicine, dental, and hospital health service; and the total cost of all existing health services provided from public funds.

It has been estimated that the cost of extending services as envisaged in the question would be about £100 millions per annum. There are, however, many factors in this estimate, the effects of which cannot easily be quantified and the estimate must be regarded as approximate. The non-capital expenditure from public funds on the existing health services is estimated at £362 millions for 1978.

That is what we spent on drink, is it not?

I did not spend it on drink.

Lord, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men.

The Deputy asked for specific information and I compiled it for him. I am well aware of where my priorities are but I doubt if I know where the Deputy's are.