§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether his Department has any plans to provide tampons and sanitary towels free of charge to all women;
(2) how many representations his Department has received since 1979 calling for the provision of tampons and sanitary towels free of charge through national health service clinics.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyFigures on the number of representations made on this subject are not available. We have not recently received any representations from organisations on this matter, although it has been raised from time to time in correspondence from Members of Parliament and members of the public.
It would not be appropriate to provide sanitary protection products through the national health service free of charge. We are satisfied that it is more appropriate to assist disadvantaged people through income support and other similar measures, which are the responsibility of the Department of Social Security.