59. Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to exempt all disabled people on local authority and employment exchange registers from all prescription, dental and optical charges.
§ Mr. AlisonNo. Anyone who would suffer hardship through having to pay charges is already entitled to receive help; and there are wide exemptions from prescription charges, together with prepayment certificates for those who are not exempt but need regular prescriptions.
§ Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will grant exemption from all medical charges for disabled persons on local authority and employment exchange registers.
§ Mr. AlisonI assume the hon. Member is referring to National Health Service charges generally. I would refer him to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, West (Mr. Bob Brown).