§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost of extending exemption from prescription charges to all persons aged 60 years or over.
§ Mr. NewtonWomen aged 60 or over and men 65 or over are already exempt from prescription charges. We estimate that it would cost in the region of £10 million to £15 million to extend exemption from prescription charges to men aged 60–64 who are not already exempt, for example, on low income or medical grounds.