§ Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the increased public cost as a result of abolishing the prescription charges is approximately £25 million a year; and what priority was laid clown, in apportioning expenditure by the National Health Service, to the various needs of the Service.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonIt is impossible to determine how much of the cost of the pharmaceutical services is due to the abolition of prescription charges; the removal of these charges was regarded by the Government as one of the highest priorities in the development of the National Health Service.