§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that the number of prescriptions has dropped by 14 million, by how much expenditure on the National Health Service has been reduced as a result.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe numerical comparison made by the hon. Member relates to prescriptions dispensed by chemists in England and Wales in the seven months to 31st January, 1969 and in the corresponding period a year earlier. The gross cost of prescriptions so dispensed was greater in the later period by about £630,000, an increase considerably less than could have been expected if prescription charges had not been reintroduced.