§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list (a) the Treasury contribution to the national insurance fund in both percentage and money terms for each year since 1979 and (b) any proposed changes to take place over 1982; and what have been the savings to the Treasury (i) for each of these years and (ii) cumulatively since 1979.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe information requested is as follows:
supplement (FIS), his expenses in travelling to hospital by public transport, and those of a person who needed to accompany him, will be reimbursed on application. If no public transport is available, taxi fares will normally be reimbursed. If a private car is used, the estimated cost of the petrol used will be reimbursed up to the actual or estimated cost of the journey by public transport.
Patients with low incomes who are not receiving supplementary benefit or FIS are assessed for help on supplementary benefit lines by the Department's local offices. This includes the travel costs of a companion where one was necessary. A patient who was entitled to supplementary benefit but not receiving it would be informed of his eligibility.
No financial help is given for subsistence or lodging expenses.
There are special arrangements for disabled war pensioners attending hospital for the condition for which they are receiving the pension. In this case the pensioner and any necessary escort may, regardless of financial need, be paid travelling expenses and a subsistence allowance, including an allowance for overnight stay.