§ HEALTH AND PERSONAL SOCIAL SERVICES
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Dental Charges
In the general dental services, charges for dental treatment (not including dentures) in the year ended 18th June, 1970, represented the whole cost subject to a maximum of £1'50. The rate of charge was reduced in 1971 to half the cost of the treatment, subject to a maximum of £10, with the result that the actual amount payable by patients can be lower or higher than in 1970. Charges for supply of dentures increased by about 25 per cent. in the year ended 18th June, 1970, but the change in charges in the subsequent year varied according to the type and cost of denture supplied : in many cases there was little change.
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Ophthalmic Charges
In the general ophthalmic service, the charge for a single-vision lens increased by 17½p in the year ended 18th June, 1970, and by between 40p and £1.30, according to the strength of lens, in the year ended 18th June, 1971. The corresponding figures for a bifocal lens were 25p in the year ended 18th June, 1970, and between £1.20 and £2.25. The charge for the most popular National Health Service spectacle frame increased by 4p in the year ended 18th June, 1970; there was no increase during the year ended 18th June, 1971.
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Prescription Charges
Charges for prescriptions, for elastic stockings and other elastic hosiery were not changed in the year ended 18th June, 1970. In the subsequent year they increased by 7½p, 37½p and 12½ respectively.
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Social Security
Costs of social security benefits are not available for years ending on 18th June. As regards increases in benefits, national insurance and associated benefits were increased by about 11 per cent. and supplementary benefits by about 5 per cent. in the year ended 18th June, 1970. Supplementary benefits were increased by about 8" per cent. in the year tended 18th June, 1971. Additionally, in that year pensions were provided for the over-80s and benefits for widows were improved.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as much detailed information as may be readily available, giving the actual rise or fall in figures or as a percentage, in the costs and charges for the National Health Service and Social Security benefits on 18th June, 1970, compared with 18th June, 1971 ; and how these figures compare with the year ended 18th June, 1970.
§ Sir K. JosephInformation is not readily available to make comparisons of costs on the dates specified The main charges changed as follows :