§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of Social Security what is the total saving from the reduction in benefit, for all hospital patients for the last five years.
§ Mr. PentlandOn the latest estimates, the amounts involved were as follows:
£ million 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 13 13½ 15½ 16 16
§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of Social Security what was the total saving from the reductions in benefit during the first 52 weeks in hospital in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. PentlandOn the latest estimates, the amounts involved were as follows:
£ million 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 2 2 2½ 2½ 2½
§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of Social Security what would be the total saving from the reduction in benefits if the qualifying period was fixed as being after one week in hospital instead of the existing eight weeks qualifying period for the first full financial year under the increased benefits announced on 26th October, 1967.
71W
§ Mr. PentlandInformation on which to make a precise calculation is not available, but it is estimated that the total amount involved might be of the order of £23 million a year, compared with something of the order of £18 million a year at present.