§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of Slate for Social Services how many items were issued free of charge to general practitioner prescription (i) to women aged 60 years or over, (ii) to men aged 65 years or over and (iii) to men aged 60 to 65 years in receipt of supplementary pension or housing benefit supplement in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and, in each case, if he will estimate the cost to public funds.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe number of items received in England by women aged 60 and over and men aged 65 or over in 407W the last five years for which figures are available and the estimated total cost of these items are as follows. Separate figures for women and men are not available.
Year Number of Items (million) Total Cost (£ millions) 1982 112.7 454.0 1983 117.2 511.2 1984 121.0 557.2 1985 125.7 625.1 1986 129.6 683.0 Information on the number and cost of items received by men aged 60 to 65 years in receipt of supplementary benefit or housing benefit supplement is not available, but estimated figures are as follows:
Number (millions) Cost (£ million) 1982 1.4 5.5 1983 1.8 8.1 1984 2.1 9.8 1985 2.2 10.9 1986 2.3 12.0