§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual income from prescription charges in the latest year for which figures are available; and whether he will estimate the extra annual income from extending charges to all over retirement age except for those categories of exemption which currently apply to people under retirement age.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIn 1989–90 the income from prescription charges, including pre-payment certificates, in England was £190 million. It is estimated that this charge income would have been broadly double if charges had been paid by people over retirement age who were not otherwise exempt.