§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to his Department of administering the national health service low income scheme for health benefits.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe NHS low income scheme is administered by the Department of Social Security on behalf of the Department of Health, on a repayment basis. Figures are available only for the three years 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92. The repayments for those years have been £8.107 million, £7.180 million and £5.137 million respectively.