§ 27. Mr. Millanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland about allowing exemptions from prescription charges for chronic mental illness, and what reply he has given.
§ Mr. MonroNone, Sir. The representations referred to in the commission's recently published report "A Duty to Care" were made to the previous Government.
§ Mr. MillanI am aware of that, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that the reason why the original list of exemptions was on such a restricted scale was that it was extremely difficult to get the agreement of the medical profession even to the list published? Is it not time that this question was re-opened, since there are many deserving categories—and I agree that this is a criticism of the last Government as well as of the present Government—who are not allowed exemption? Should we not try to do something about it?
§ Mr. MonroI note the point. There was a review of categories last year, when discussion with the medical profession indicated that there were no adjustments which could readily be made to the list.