asked the Minister of Health whether birth control pills can be prescribed under the National Health Service.

Yes, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend confirm or deny that these pills can cost up to 17s. a month if prescribed? In view of this, will the Minister not lay down and publish very careful instructions as to when they may be used, since the prescribing of these pills could cost a lot of money if not controlled on medical grounds?

It is not for me to indicate to doctors what they should decide, for medical reasons, to prescribe for their patients.

Is it left to the doctor to decide whether these pills shall be prescribed both for married and single women?

It is always for the individual doctor to decide in each case what are the medical requirements.