§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of providing a free family planning service in Scotland.
§ Mr. Fairgrieve[pursuant to his reply, 22 January 1980]; I wish to give the following amended reply. Family planning advice and materials prescribed or provided following that advice are free under the National Health Service at present. The purchase of materials in family planning clinics, without professional consultation, attracts a charge equal to their cost price plus a 10 per cent. handling charge. The estimated net cost to the service in Scotland in the current financial year is £6.7 million, exclusive of the hos- 780W pital costs of sterilisations undertaken for family planning purposes.