§ Geraint DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the annual cost to the NHS of contributing towards the cost of all those opting for private sector operations at a r ate of 50 per cent. of the NHS cost for the equivalent operation. [181145]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 29 June 2004]The estimated cost to the Exchequer about £1 billion per year.