§ 62. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that pensioners now in receipt of National Assistance benefit are thereby exempt from the 86W 1s. prescription charge, but that many will no longer be eligible for such exemption when the proposed new scales come into operation; and whether he will make provision for all old-age pensioners to receive medical treatment without payment.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThere are no exemptions from the payment of the charge. The National Assistance Board will refund the charge to any person receiving assistance, or who satisfies the Board that, on the Board's standards, payment of the charge would cause hardship. To give such assistance to all old-age pensioners, without regard to their resources, would not be fair to other persons in comparable financial circumstances.