§ Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the cost per annum of social security and unemployment benefits of all types broken down by benefit, of illness caused either entirely or mainly by (a) smoking or (b) alcohol consumption.
§ Mr. RossiIt is regretted that the information available is not precise enough to allow reliable estimates to be made.
§ Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the cost per annum to the National Health Service of illness that has been caused entirely or mainly by (a) smoking or (b) alcohol consumption.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe Department estimates that the annual cost to the NHS in England and Wales of diseases attributable to smoking is about £155 million at November 1981 prices.
On alcohol-related diseases a study undertaken by researchers relating to 1977 suggested a figure of cost to the NHS which, if simply updated to 1981 prices, would now be between £70 million and £95 million.
§ Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Secretary of State or Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of working days per annum lost as a consequence of illness caused either entirely or mainly by (a) smoking or (b) alcohol consumption.
§ Mr. RossiIt was estimated by the Royal College of Physicians in 1977 that 50 million working days are lost
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§ Dr. VaughanPlanning hospital facilities in a particular region is the responsibility of the regional health authority and my hon. Friend may like to seek information direct from the South West Thames regional health authority.