§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent national health hospitals are presently purchasing sterile water from the United States of America; what is the cost of such purchases in the year 1974–75; and whether steps are being taken to obtain such water from a domestic source.
§ Dr. OwenThe way the National Health Service is currently organised means that these purchasing decisions are taken independently by each of the fourteen regional health authorities. There are two commercial suppliers of sterile water—one is a United Kingdom company and one is a British subsidiary of an American company which does import from the United States of America all of its sterile water. I gather that they hope
NUMBERS OF RECIPIENTS* OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS† AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL POPULATION Year England percentage Scotland percentage Wales percentage 1955 … … … 17.9 17.8 21.3 1965 … … … 27.4 27.8 30.8 1973 (latest available date) … … … 31.6 32.9 35.9 * Many people receive more than one benefit. † The benefits covered are all the benefits of the national insurance, and industrial injuries schemes other than industrial death benefit; supplementary benefits; war pensions; attendance allowance; family income supplement; and family allowances.