HC Deb 25 February 1969 vol 778 c285W
Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many exemptions from prescription charges have been granted since the reintroduction of prescription charges for the classes qualifying.

Mr. Ennals

In England and Wales, more than 11 million children up to 15 years of age and more than 6 million persons aged 65 and over in England and Wales are exempt on grounds of age. Estimates of the numbers of people exempt on other grounds are as follows:

1. Expectant mothers and nursing mothers 530,000
2. Persons suffering from a specified medical condition 280,000
3. Prepayment certificates 44,000
4. War and service disablement pensioners 250,000
5. Persons in receipt of supplementary benefit and their dependants 1,275,000
6. Persons assessed as needing help to pay the charges and their dependants 30,000

NOTE. The figures for categories 1 to 3 relate to England and Wales. Those for categories 4 to 6 relate to Great Britain