HC Deb 04 March 1968 vol 760 cc3-4W
52. Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Social Security, what steps she will take to ensure that low-paid workers and their families are aware of their right to claim refunds of prescription charges.

62. Mr. Robert Edwards

asked the Minister of Social Security, what steps she will take to ensure that persons receiving supplementary benefits and their families are aware of their right to claim re funds of prescription charges.

67. Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Minister of Social Security what steps she will take to ensure that illiterate persons entitled to refunds of prescription charges are aware of their entitlement.

Mrs. Hart

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I will ensure that there is plenty of general publicity at the outset.

I am at present considering a general entitlement campaign to try to ensure that low-paid workers and their families are completely aware of the various forms of help available to them, including their rights concerning prescription charges.

53. Mr. Dickens

asked the Minister of Social Security what advice she has received from the Supplementary Benefits Commission regarding the reintroduction of refunds for prescription charges.

Mrs. Hart

The Commission have taken the same view as the Government, namely, that cases of hardship should so far as is practicable be covered by the exemption categories.

59. Mr. Will Owen

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) what steps she will take to ensure that persons entitled to refunds of prescription charges do not have to call at the local supplementary benefits office.

(2) what steps she will take to ensure that persons entitled to refunds of pre scription charges do not have to receive a home visit from an officer of the Supplementary Benefits Commission.

Mrs. Hart

We envisage that claims from persons not already receiving supplementary benefits will be dealt with by post or call or home visit whichever seems most appropriate in the individual case.

65. Mr. Urwin

asked the Minister of Social Security what additional staff she will recruit to deal with applications for refunds of prescription charges.

Mr. Loughlin

No estimate is possible until the details of exemptions and refunds have been settled.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will publish the instructions to be issued to local supplementary benefits offices regarding the administration of refunds of prescription charges.

Mr. Loughlin

I share my hon. Friend's concern that people eligible for refunds should get them. But the answer is effective publicity and contacts. It would not necessarily help to publish our administrative and largely operational instructions.