asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount collected in National Health Service charges in the financial year 1962–63; what is the estimated amount for 1963–64; and what is the estimated annual cost of collecting.

Excluding charges by local health authorities the totals for Scotland are, £4,507,330 in 1962–63 and an estimated £4,730,000 in 1963–64. The cost of collection cannot be estimated readily, but it is very small indeed in relation to the sums collected.

But have the Government any plans to get rid of this iniquitous tax?

No, Sir The scale of the charges helps to contain the total net cost of the National Health Service, thus allowing scope for developing new and improved services which would not otherwise be provided. That, I presume, is what was intended when the first charges were established, some in practice and some in principle, between 1945 and 1950.

Has the hon. Gentleman read what happened in those years? Is it not the case that not a single penny was collected in charges in any shape or form?

I merely went as far as to say that the principle was then established.