§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, how many prescriptions were dispensed in hospitals in 1973; and what percentage was exempted from charges.
§ Dr. OwenI regret that this information is not available. No charges are payable by hospital in-patients. In the case of out-patients and day patients no charges are payable for drugs adminis-588W trated at the hospital or for dressings and other appliances, except elastic hosiery, supplied at the hospital.
§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many prescriptions were dispensed on E.C.lO's in 1973; and what percentage was exempted from charges.
§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total amount spent in advertising the rights of certain categories of patients to be exempted from prescription charges in each of the last six years.
§ Dr. OwenThere have been no campaigns covering exemptions alone. Campaigns publicizing exemptions from prescription charges have also covered other subjects, such as general take-up of benefits and family income supplement. Amounts spent on these campaigns have been:
1968–69 … … … £93,000 1969–70 … … … — 1970–71 … … … — 1971–72 … … … £510,000 1972–73 … … … £325,000 1973–74 … … … £150,000