§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of providing a free family planning service in Scotland.
§ Mr. FairgrieveFamily planning advice and materials are provided free under the National Health Service at present except that prescription charges are payable for drugs and appliances. The estimated net cost to the Service in Scotland in the current financial year is £6.7 million, exclusive of the hospital138W costs of sterilisations undertaken for family planning purposes.