HC Deb 02 August 1962 vol 664 c151W
Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the estimated cost of removing all the charges now imposed upon National Health Service patients; and whether he will show this in tabulated form for each branch of the Service where charges are now in existence.

Mr. Powell

My Department's estimates for 1962–63 assume the following revenue from these charges in England and Wales:

£ million
Pharmaceutical Service 21.7
General Dental Service 11.1
Supplementary Opthalmic Service 7.1
Hospital Service (excluding charges paid by private patients) 2.4
Total 42.3

In addition to the loss of this revenue, expenditure, of which no reliable estimate can be made, would be incurred on items costing less than the charges.