HC Deb 06 May 1953 vol 515 c31W
Major Beamish

asked the Minister of Health what extra cost would fall on the Exchequer in this financial year if the National Health Service were made free in all respects.

Mr. Iain Macleod

It is of course difficult to estimate the level of demand that would result if charges were removed and therefore no accurate estimate is possible, but I think that the extra cost in a full year would be at least £40 million.