§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give for any convenient stated period of time the actual or estimated costs to the National Health Service of persons who have received hospital treatment for injuries, illness and disabilities caused by or aggravated by (a) motor car accidents where seat belts (i) have and (ii) have not been in use, (b) smoking, (c) drinking, (d) obesity due to over-eating, (e) drug taking, (f) accidents at home and (g) accidents at work where evidence has been produced that the regulations on proper use of safety precautions have not been taken.
§ Sir George YoungI regret that precise information is not available in the form requested. The best available estimates of the total cost to the National Health Service of the conditions listed are as follows:
471W
England and Wales November 1979 prices £ million (a) All road accidents (including accidents to pedestrians etc.) 75 of which, accidents to front seat car occupants in cars with seats belts fitted, but not worn 18
England and Wales November 1979 prices £ million (b) Smoking-related diseases 115 (c) Alcohol-related diseases and accidents 50–69 (d) Obesity due to over-eating not available (e) Drug taking not available (f) Accidents at home 87 (g) Accidents at work following neglect of safety precautions not available Note: the cost of treatment of accidents due to alcohol is included both at (a) and (c).