HC Deb 06 February 1961 vol 634 cc22-3
33. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many people in Wales claimed from the National Assistance Board the return of their medical prescription charges during the last twelve months; and what amount of money was involved.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (Miss Patricia Hornsby-Smith)

About £100,000 was refunded by the National Assistance Board to people in Wales in respect of payments made by way of prescription charges in 1960. This represents the charge made in respect of about 2 million prescriptions. Figures are not available as to the number of people to whom such payments were made.

Mr. Thomas

Would not it be a lot wiser to save administrative expense by allowing these people not to have to pay the money in the first place? On the production of their National Assistance books, could not they have their prescriptions and be saved the humiliation of having to put in claims to get their shillings back?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

As the hon. Member knows, it is not a case of putting in a claim. They produce their receipts with their order books and draw the two together,

Mr. Thomas

Is the hon. Lady aware that there are a lot of people who resent having to go through this procedure? Will the Department not look at the possibility of a reform in this matter? It would be a commonsense thing to do to save administrative trouble.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

My right hon. Friend and his right hon. colleague will take into account what the hon. Member has said, but I think the indication he has given that the procedure is more difficult than it is does scant justice to the efforts which have been made to make repayment as easy as possible. As I have said, in the main, those who are on National Assistance draw, at the same time as they draw their National Assistance grants, the money which they have expended in prescription charges.

Mr. Thomas

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Back to
Forward to