§ 28. Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the cost of National Health Service contributions.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Mr. David Ennals)If the hon. Member means the contributions to the National Health Service proposed in the White Paper, Cmnd. 3883, the details of the short-term benefits and the National Health Service contributions will be announced later.
§ Mr. MacmillanWill the Minister say what effect the arrangements to be made for paying for the increased pension are likely to have on the health stamp? Will he also say whether, in view of the rising costs which have prompted the increase in health charges, he is considering raising the contribution made for the stamp, which now covers only about 10 per cent. of the total cost of the health bill?
§ Mr. EnnalsThese are both different questions from the one which I assumed from the wording in the original Question. The hon. Gentleman had better wait to say what he has to say until the debate on Thursday.