§ Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total additional cost of administration in the National Health Service consequent on the imposition of the charges in 1952.
§ Mr. J. StuartIt is not possible to make any estimate of this cost, which is certainly very small in relation to the proceeds of the charges.
§ Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount paid in Health Service charges in each year from 1951 to 1954.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe total charges payable under the National Health Service in Scotland were as follows:
Financial year Total charges payable £ 1950–51 … … … 358,000 1951–52 … … … 770,000 1952–53 … … … 1,808,000 1953–54 … … … 2,323,000 1954–55 … … … 2,498,000 (partly estimated)
§ Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount paid by National Health Service patients in each of the last three years, consequent on the imposition of the shilling prescription charge in 1952.
§ Mr. J, StuartThe amounts payable in Scotland since the introduction of this charge on 1st June, 1952, are as follows:
£ June. 1952, to March, 1953 437,000 April, 1953, to March, 1954 688,000 April. 1954, to March, 1955 714,000