§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the incidence of respiratory diseases in the Northern Region; and to what extent the increased cost per prescription in the region can be attributed to the growth of these complaints.
§ Mr. LoughlinIn the past few years a number of studies have been carried out by the College of General Practitioners, University Departments and the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance. These surveys suggest that the incidence of respiratory disease is relatively high in the northern industrial region. The drugs used for these diseases may be one factor 161W in the high cost per prescription, but costs are high in the Northern Region in the majority of therapeutic groups of drugs.