§ 108. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the exact procedure under his regulations for those not on Public Assistance who desire a refund of money paid for prescriptions; what inquiries are made; how long they usually take; how repayment is made if this is agreed to; and what is the approximate cost of each such inquiry.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterBy arrangement between the Health Departments and the National Assistance Board anyone not already receiving national assistance (or who has not already obtained a payment from the Board on the basis of immediate need to meet a prescription charge) obtains from the chemist an explanatory leaflet which includes a simple form on which to apply for a refund. Application can be made to the local office of the National Assistance Board by post or, if desired, by personal call. In the latter case the Board's officer will make the necessary inquiries as to circumstances and resources and a payment will be made then and there if there 113W is need by National Assistance standards. If application is made by post, the Board's officer will call on the applicant at his own home and any payment due will be made by post without delay. These inquiries will be conducted in the course of the officers' normal duties and it would not be practicable to cost them separately.
These arrangements do not apply to war disablement pensioners who can on application to my Ministry automatically obtain refunds of money paid for prescriptions for their accepted disability.