§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the gross cost, including costs covered by charges, of the dental services and optical services for each of the last 10 financial years.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe gross costs requested, excluding the costs of administration, are as follows:
Year General Dental Services General Ophthalmic Services £ million £ million 1973–74 123.6 29.3 1974–75 153.0 35.8 1975–76 200.8 62.0 1976–77 221.2 65.5 1977–78 229.9 67.0 1978–79 279.1 75.2 1979–80 336.4 89.9 1980–81 419.1 104.1 1981–82 481.1 *125.8 1982–83† 536.2 ‡217.1 * Includes £17.1 million arrears relating to previous years. † The latest available estimate. ‡ Includes £66.1 million arrears relating to previous years.