§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many medical cards have been issued by the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency since 1973; how many of these were of the format produced by the former issuing authority prior to 1973; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamSince 1 October 1973 an estimated 1,750,000 medical cards have been issued by the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency. It is not known how many of these were of the format produced by the Northern Ireland General Health Services Board, the issuing authority prior to 1 October 1973.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were issued with new medical cards in (a) each of the five weeks preceding the 1985 local government elections, (b) each of the five weeks preceding the 1986 by-elections and (c) an average week in 1984; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe approximate numbers of medical cards issued during these periods are as follows:(a) 65,000; (b) 30,000; (c) 2,400.
These totals include first time registrations, amendments to previous cards and replacements.