HC Deb 10 May 1983 vol 42 cc267-8W
Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost of (a) a single course of dental treatment and (b) the dispensing of a pair of spectacles; and what is the average charge for (i) a single course dental treatment and (ii) a pair of spectacles, excluding from his calculations of charges of the effect of those people who are exempted from charges and excluding from his calculation costs the costs of services which are not charged for under any circumstances.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

the information asked for, based on 1981–82 data — the latest available — is as follows:

£
Average cost of a course of dental treatment, excluding the cost of exempt services and of administration 20
Average cost of dispensing a pair of spectacles, excluding administration costs 12
Average charge for a chargeable course of dental treatment 10
Average charge for a chargeable pair of spectacles 9

All figures are rounded to the nearest £1.