§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services being in receipt of which of the following benefits, family income supplements, rent rebates, rate rebates, school uniform grants, free school meals, free welfare foods, exemption from prescription charges and exemption from optical and dental charges, is taken into acount in assessing eligibility for each respective benefit.
71W
§ Sir K. JosephEligibility for family income supplement is not affected by any of these benefits, but it will automatically entitle recipients to free school meals, free welfare foods, exemption from prescription charges and remission of National Health Service dental and optical charges. Free welfare foods and National Health Service charge assessments take account of rebated rent and rates. Assessment for rate rebates is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and school uniform grants and free school meals are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. Assessment for rent rebates is the responsibility of local authorities.