§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of delays in paying claimants caused by the centralisation of the paying of
Total net ingredient cost (£ thousands) 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 (a) in absolute terms (i) anti-depressants 13,726 14,514 15,752 18,842 22,465 (ii) anti-depressant and sedative/tranquilliser combinations 3,161 2,948 2,861 2,743 2,559 Total 16,887 17.462 18,613 21,585 25,024 (b) adjusted for inflation† (i) anti-depressants 13,726 13,939 14,241 16,189 17,917 (ii) anti-depressant and sedative/tranquilliser combinations 3,161 2,903 2,693 2,498 2,239 Total 16,887 16,842 16,934 18,687 20,156 Note * Exclusive of any drugs which may be prescribed as anti-depressant but are not formally classified as such. † At 1978 prices, with adjustments based on the Department's own indices of drug prices for anti-depressants.