§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of Health (1) what is the estimated revenue from charging for meals for all in-patients in hospital for a minimum period of three days or one week, respectively, based on his Department's recommended meal charges for medical staff, namely, breakfast 2s. 6d., mid-day meal 3s. 6d., tea 1s., evening meal 3s. 6d.; and by what amount he estimates this figure would be reduced by exempting patients with incomes on or below supplementary benefit level, pregnant mothers and children under 15;
(2) what is the estimated revenue from charging for meals for all in-patients in hospital for a minimum period of three days or one week, respectively, based on his Department's recommended meal charges for nurses, namely breakfast 1s. 7d., midday meal 2s. 9d., tea 10d. and evening meal 2s. 9d.; and by what amount this figure would be reduced by exempting patients with income on or below supplementary benefit level, pregnant mothers and children under 15.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonEstimates of the revenue from charges for meals on the bases requested are necessarily very speculative, but the gross yield in a full year and reductions for the exemptions specified would approximately be as indicated below:
Higher scale of meal charges Lower scale of meal charges Gross Reductions for exemptions Gross Reductions for exemptions £m. £m. £m. £m. Excluding those in hospital for 3 days or less 75 20 55 15 Excluding those in hospital for 7 days or less 70 20 50 15