§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations she had with religious leaders before announcing that contraceptives would be provided free under the National Health Service.
§ Dr. David OwenIt was already well known that many responsible bodies, including the Church of England's Board of Social Responsibility, supported the provision of an entirely free service, and I was aware of views expressed in the debates in this House and in another place on the question of charges for family planning supplies during the passage of the National Health Service Re-organisation Bill. Since the Government had to decide whether or not to lay regulations before the House of Commons to introduce a prescription charge in family planning clinics when these came 367W under the reorganised National Health Service on 1st April, it was not possible to consult.