Mr. Bittenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the estimated annual yield if a boarding charge were made for those undergoing in-patient National Health Service treatment in a National Health Service hospital for more than two consecutive weeks and if that charge were in line with the deductions made from national insurance benefits for those in hospital more than eight weeks.
§ Dr. OwenThe estimated gross yield would be about £25 million in England on the assumptions that the charge was levied on all in-patients from the beginning of their third week's stay in hospital; and was at the same rate as the deduction—£2.30—made after eight weeks from national insurance benefits of patients with dependants.
This estimate takes no account of the exemptions from any boarding charge which might need to be made, and the costs of administration and collection.