HC Deb 23 July 1979 vol 971 c76W
Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of providing contraceptive devices and substances under the National Health Service for the most recent 12-monthly period for which figures are available; and what was the comparable figure for the last year before such items were available without charge.

Sir George Young

Information is not available in this form, but the estimated outturn expenditure on the National Health Service family planning service—England—for 1978–79 is £43 million, of which about £18 million is assessed as representing the cost of providing contraceptive devices and substances. Comparable figures for 1973–74, the last year before these items were available without charge and when a substantial proportion of family planning services was undertaken through local authorities, are not available.