§ 58 and 89. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Minister of Health (1) what has been the cost of the abolition of prescription charges to date; and how these figures compare with the estimates he made;
(2) what he now estimates will be the cost of the abolition of prescription charges for a full year; and how these estimates compare with those presented earlier in the year.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonIt is not possible to make reliable estimates of the effect on 619 the drug bill of the abolition of prescription charges, since this factor cannot be isolated from other factors, including those mentioned in my reply to the hon. and learned Member for Bebington (Mr. Howe) of 4th August.
§ Brigadier ClarkeDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it would have been much better if he had not abolished the prescription charges in toto but had abolished them only for people who cannot afford to pay, such as old-age pensioners and others on small fixed incomes?
§ Mr. RobinsonNo, Sir. I do not agree that it was a mistake to abolish the prescription charges. We have discussed on a number of occasions the problem of trying to distinguish between cases of hardship and others. I would point out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the Opposition did not table a Prayer against the Order abolishing prescription charges.
§ Sir K. JosephIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is here involved both a loss of revenue and an almost certain increase in costs due to the rise in the number of prescriptions? Is he satisfied that in view of the other needs of the service all this extra public expenditure is really justified?
§ Mr. RobinsonI am satisfied that it was the right thing to do to abolish prescription charges. As I have told the right hon. Gentleman before, this was a perfectly clear, categorical pledge made by the Labour Party when in opposition. We have heard a great deal from the Conservative Party about pledges which are alleged to be broken. Here is a pledge that was carried out.
§ Later—
§ Sir C. TaylorOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I thought that you were calling the hon. Member for Dearne Valley (Mr. Wainwright) to ask a supplementary question on Questions Nos. 58 and 59 and not to ask Question No. 60. Otherwise, I should have given notice—and I hope I am not too late to do so—that I should like to raise the subject of those Questions on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I am not responsible for the hon. Gentleman's failure to understand where we are. He is out of order now.
§ Sir C. TaylorAm I in order now, Mr. Speaker, in giving notice that I wish to raise these matters on the Adjournment?
§ Mr. SpeakerNo. The hon. Gentleman is not in order, and is wasting precious Question time.