§ Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what criteria he fixed the sums of 30s. and 55s. as the figure for 588W the purchase of prescription charge season tickets.
§ Mr. RossThe object was to help patients who required frequent prescriptions, and a fee representing the charge for two prescriptions a month for six months seemed reasonable. The small reduction for the 12 month certificate reflects the lower administrative costs of issuing a single certificate.
Mr. W. H. K. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the gross receipts and what are the administrative costs of the re-introduction of prescription charges for a six-month period to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. RossThe gross receipts from charges are ascertained from the prescriptions sent in by chemists for pricing, and figures for the period of six months beginning in June last are not yet available. I estimate that the total administrative cost of the re-introduction of charges in this period, including additional remuneration to chemists, will be of the order of £80,000.
Mr. W. H. K. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the total cost of printing and distribution of new forms of all types since the announcement of the re-introduction of prescription charges to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. RossThe total estimated cost in Scotland of printing and distributing new forms (including revised prescription forms) arising from the introduction of prescription charges and prepayment certificates was £13,500.