§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why one prescription of female hormone replacement therapy costs £2.60.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergNon-exempt patients pay a separate charge of £1.30 for each quantity of a drug
Table 1 Birkenhead England and Wales May 1979 August 1982 May 1979 August 1982 Supplementary pensioners 8,000 8,100 1,553,700 1,578,800 Unemployed claimants 5,600 11,400 577,500 1,636,400 Sick and disabled 1,200 1,300 210,300 235,000 Single parent families 1,800 2,100 311,100 393,700 Others 200 600 52,600 97,700 All supplementary beneficiaries 16,800 23,500 2,705,200 3,941,600 Some 100 per cent. count as cases in action in local offices.
Table 2 Dependants of Supplementary Benefit in England and Wales November 1979 December 1981 Supplementary pensioners 300,600 279,100 Unemployed 471,700 1,185,500 Sick and disabled 61,800 76,600 One parent families 491,300 575,700 Others 25,800 44,700 Total of all beneficiaries 1,351,200 2,161,500 Note: Information about dependants is available only from Annual Statistical Enquiries in November/December each year.
Source: Annual Statistical Enquiry.