§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will break down the factors which led to the recent increase in the level of prescription charges.
§ Mr. John PattenAn increase from £1.40 to £1.54 would have been necessary simply to reflect the increase in the assumed average cost of a prescription item. The charge of £1.60 from 1 April takes account of that and makes a small real terms contribution to the Government's increased spending on the NHS.