HC Deb 25 July 1991 vol 195 cc899-900W
Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the increase in the value of vouchers for glasses for each year since their introduction in(a) cash and (b) real terms.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Increases in voucher values, in cash and real terms, have varied in each year since vouchers were introduced, depending on the voucher band. In general we have aimed to make the largest increases in those voucher bands where we perceived there to be the greatest need. The following table shows the range of percentage increases for each year except 1987 when voucher values were not increased.

Voucher values 1986 to 1991
Date Cash value increase per cent. 1Reat value increase per cent.
1 April 1988 8.77 to 28.79 -1.48 to +16.82
1 September 1988 4.70 to 5.88
1 April 1989 3.70 to 10.48 -2.51 to +3.86
1 April 1990 2.04 to 6.10 -4.97 to -1.53
1 April 1991 2.00 to 7.22 -4.67 to +0.02
1 Calculated using the GDP deflator.