HC Deb 23 April 1969 vol 782 cc444-5
5. Mr. Manuel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of clerical grade officers and senior officers employed by the Ayrshire Executive Council to check the entitlement to exemption from prescription charges; what is their estimated annual cost; what was the number of prescriptions checked between September, 1968 and January, 1969; what was the number of patients found not to be entitled to exemption; and what was the total of the charge recovered from those patients.

11. Mr. Adam Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of clerical grade officers and senior officers employed by the Fife Executive Council to check the entitlement to exemption from prescription charges; what is their estimated annual cost; what was the number of prescription charges checked between September, 1968 and January, 1969; what was the number of patients found not to have entitlement to exemption; and what was the total of the charge recovered from those patients.

19. Mr. Eadie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of clerical grade officers and senior officers employed on the Lothians and Edinburgh Executive Council to check the entitlement to exemption from prescription charges; what was the number of prescriptions checked between September, 1968 and January, 1969; what was the number of patients found not to have been entitled to exemption; and what was the total of the charge recovered from the patients.

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Bruce Millan)

As the Answer involves a number of figures I will circulate a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Manuel

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Why were these Questions taken together when they deal with different areas in Scotland?

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman should not raise a point of order on his own supplementary question. He must put his question.

Mr. Manuel

Could my hon. Friend indicate the additional charge, the additional workers and the additional expense entailed in saving a small amount, and does he think that it is worth while?

Mr. Millan

This matter has been debated on the question of prescription charges as a whole at very considerable length. Regrettable as it may be, it was necessary to impose the charges. In Ayrshire, the costs involved in checking the forms in the period covered by the Question have been about £700.

Mr. Hunter

Despite what my hon. Friend says, I feel that the prescription charges should be abolished, thus cutting out the need for exemptions. Does not he agree?

CHECKING OF CLAIM EXEMPTION FROM PRESCRIPTION CHARGES BETWEEN SEPTEMBER, 1968 AND JANUARY, 1969
Estimated Staff and costs on annual basis Results of Checks
Number of Officers engaged on checking (whole-time equivalents) Number of Prescription forms checked Number of patients found to be not exempt
Executive Council Senior Officers Clerical Officers Costs Charges recovered
£ £ s. d.
Ayrshire — 1.5 700 2,356 25 4 2 6
Fife County 0.5 0.4 646 797 44 4 2 6
Lothians and Peebles 0.5 2.75 2,150 4,317 43 6 5 0
Edinburgh City