§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish in the Official Report the cost of (i) free prescriptions (ii) free welfare foods and milk (iii) free optical and dental treatment for each year since 1960 (a) in 1975 prices and (b) as a percentage of gross national product.
§ Dr. OwenThe information requested is as follows:
FREE PRESCRIPTIONS Year ended 31st March Cost at 1975 prices* £m. England percentage of GNP* 1961 See Note below. 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 290 0.4 1967 293 0.4 1968 309 0.4 1969 232 0.3 1970 163 0.2 1971 170 0.2 1972 187 0.2 1973 204 0.2 1974 209 0.2 1975 226 0.2 Note: During the period up to 31st January 1965 prescription charges applied to all prescriptions. Some charges were refunded on grounds of low income, but the cost of the relevant prescriptions cannot be readily estimated. From 1st February 1965 prescription charges were abolished. From 10th June 1968 prescription charges were reintroduced with a wide range of exemptions including age grounds—children under 15 and persons aged 65 or over—certain chronic conditions, low income, etc. From 8th April 1974 the age exemptions were extended to children aged 15 and to women between the ages of 60 and 65.
818W
FREE WELFARE FOODS Year ended 31st March Cost at 1975 prices* £m. England percentage of GNP* 1972 14.0 0.03 (estimated) 1973 15.3 0.03 1974 12.3 0.02 1975 8.4 0.01 Notes:
1. Prior to 1971–72 a pint of milk a day could be obtained by beneficiaries at a subsidised price or free in certain circumstances, but separate figures for free issues are not readily available.
2. The figure for 1971–72 has had to be estimated because there was a degree of overlap with the previous scheme.
FREE OPTICAL AND DENTAL TREATMENT Year ended 31st March Cost at 1975 of prices* £m. England percentage of GNP† 1960 64.0 0.10 1961 62.0 0.10 1962 63.0 0.10 1963 63.0 0.09 1964 63.0 0.09 1965 61.0 0.08 1966 63.0 0.09 1967 63.0 0.08 1968 64.0 0.08 1969 64.0 0.08 1970 71.0 0.09 1971 73.0 0.09 1972 83.0 0.09 1973 84.0 0.10 1974 84.0 0.09 1975 84.0 0.09 Note: These figures include the cost of sight tests, which are free to all persons, as well as the cost of glasses which throughout the period were supplied free or at a reduced charge to children under 16 years of age, older children attending school full-time, and persons on grounds of low income. In respect of dental treatment—including dentures—the figures include, as well as these categories, expectant mothers and mothers who have had a child within the previous 12 months, and, except for dentures, persons over 16 but under 21 years of age who have left school. Clinical examination arrest of bleeding and denture repairs are free to all persons, but the relevant costs in respect of those persons who are not exempt from charges generally cannot be readily estimated.
* Estimated cost adjusted by movement in RP1
† At factor cost.
§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total NHS capital expenditure of (a) North-West Thames, (b) North-East Thames, (c) South-East Thames, and (d) South-West Thames Regional Health Authorities, on (i) the mentally handicapped and (ii) the mentally ill in 1974–75.
§ Dr. OwenI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for 819W Barkston Ash (Mr. Alison) on 13th February.—[Vol. 905, c. 425–6.]