§ Ms. Jo RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table showing prescription, dental and optical charges in April 1979 and April 1990 in current and constant prices showing both the cash and real increase for each charge.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe table sets out the latest available information in relation to prescription and dental charges. No comparable figures for optical charges are available because the supply of NHS spectacles ceased in July 1986. Information relates to financial years.
318W
£ Prescription charges 1979–80 0.20 11990–91 3.05 21990–91 1.43 Average dental charge 1979–80 6.83 11988–89 19.84 21988–89 10.54 1 Current prices. 2 1979–80 prices. In 1979 a total of 185 million NHS prescription items were dispensed without charge. In 1988, the latest year for which figures are available, 269 million items were dispensed free.