§ Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health the number and cost of prescriptions issued, dental treatment provided, and appliances issued, for which charges were imposed under the National Health Service Act, 1952, for the months of January, February and March, 1953, as compared with the figures for the months of January, February and March, 1952.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodFollowing are the figures for England and Wales:
19W
APPLIANCES-SURGICAL APPLIANCES DELIVERED TO HOSPITALS January February March Number Estimated Cost Number Estimated Cost Number Estimated Cost 1952 £ £ £ Surgical footwear (pairs) 2,969 25,680 3,855 33,340 4,015 34,730 Repairs to surgical footwear 6,073 4,250 7,257 5,080 7,565 5,290 Surgical abdominal supports 6,602 21,130 7,113 22,760 6,858 21,940 Elastic hosiery (pairs or singles) 2,469 3,950 2,879 4,610 3,119 4,990 Wigs 580 7,370 509 6,460 691 8,770 1953 Surgical footwear (pairs) 3,753 32,414 2,796 24,045 2,907 24,867 Repairs to surgical footwear 2,819 1,852 2,504 1,645 2,480 1,608 Surgical abdominal supports 4,955 15,588 3,917 12,438 4,084 12,872 Elastic hosiery (pairs or singles) 2,804 4,367 2,477 3,914 2,532 3,924 Wigs 535 6,947 455 5,920 441 5,927 1. The figures for repairs of surgical footwear include all types of repairs and are not related to soling and heeling only. 2. The figures for surgical abdominal supports also include all types of belts, some of which are not chargeable.