Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Health what he estimates would be the approximate annual cost of abolishing the present Health Service charges on 90W prescriptions, dental treatment and spectacles.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe estimated annual cost to the Exchequer would, for England and Wales, be about £24 million, after taking into account the refunds made in certain cases but without making any allowance for any increase in the numbers of prescriptions, dental treatments (including the provision of dentures) or spectacles which might result.