HC Deb 27 February 1992 vol 204 cc586-7W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what would be the full year cost to the Exchequer in 1991–92 of introducing free eye tests and dental checks for(a) all people over state retirement age, (b) all those in receipt of a disability benefit and (c) both (a) and (b) together.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The estimated cost of introducing free sight tests for all people aged 65 and over in England for 1991–92 is approximately £25 million, and for introducing free dental examinations approximately £7 million. No estimate is available for people in receipt of a disability benefit. About 40 per cent. of the population are exempt from charges for dental examinations and sight tests.

Mr. Nicholas Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer from the abolition of free dental check-ups in the financial years (a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92 and (c) 1992–93, in the United Kingdom;

(2) what would be the cost of every 10p reduction in the charges for (a) eye tests, (b) dental check-ups and (c) prescriptions, in 1991–92 and 1992–93, in the United Kingdom;

(3) what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer from the abolition of free eye tests in the financial years (a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92 and (c) 1992–93 in the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 24 February 1992]: The estimated income from dental examination charges in England was about £55 million in 1990–91. We currently anticipate revenue of some £58 million in 1991–92, and £61 million in 1992–93. About 40 per cent. of the population are exempt from dental examination charges.

The cost of each lop reduction in the charge for dental examinations is estimated at about £1.5 million in England in 1991–92; costs in 1992–93 would be similar. The cost of a notional 10p reduction from the current prescription charge level is estimated at a minimum of about £4 million in England in 1991–92, rising to about £5 million in 1992–93.

Costs would accelerate for each subsequent incremental reduction. There are no charges for NHS sight tests which are available to approximately 40 per cent. of the population.

Restricting entitlements to NHS sight tests to priority groups has resulted in estimated savings in England of about £90 million in 1990–91, with projected savings of about £100 million in 1991–92 and £110 million in 1992–93. The full year cost of re-introducing free NHS sight tests for everyone is estimated to be £165 million.

Information on Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.