§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the prescription cost per head for each family practitioner committee area, and for each health region for 1988–89 and as estimated for 1989–90, both on a current and standard price basis; and if he will provide exemplifications of per capita allocations to regions and districts on the same current and standard price bases and on the basis of the same resources assuming the same weights as for the weighted capitation system proposed for hospital services and disregarding the effects of temporary residence and cross-boundary dispensing.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not yet have available information about the net ingredient cost of drugs per head for FPCs or regions for 1988–89. Estimates of prescription costs for future years are not available below national level. The indicative prescribing budget scheme will not start to operate until 1991. It is too soon to say what the regional allocations will he at that time.