HC Deb 25 May 1971 vol 818 cc222-3
27. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what margin he will allow above the supplementary benefit scale within which free prescription charges will be granted; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alison

A person whose net weekly income exceeds supplementary benefit levels by less than the sum of the prescription charges payable plus a margin of 30p is entitled to exemption or refund.

Mr. Dempsey

Would the Minister make it absolutely clear that retirement pensioners with small non-contributory pensions, who will inevitably receive social security supplementary benefits, will be entitled, by a fixed amount of 25p, 50p or 75p, to free prescriptions in view of the increase in prescription charges?

Mr. Alison

I am not clear from the hon. Gentleman's question whether he was referring to pensioners, but he will know that pensioners will be exempt from prescription charges.

Mr. Pavitt

Does not the hon. Gentleman's reply indicate what nonsense it is to try to cope with our sick people in this fashion? Would he revert to the provisions of the Hinchcliffe Report? Is he aware that every time we seek to have fairness in prescription charges, the drug bill rises and makes nonsense of things?

Mr. Alison

No, Sir. It has been generally accepted for a long time that prescription charges have a valuable part to play in financing the health services, and the measures we take to help people on the margin are thoroughly desirable.

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