§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he 290W will extend the exemptions for National Health Service prescription charges to include systematic sclerosis on the Specified Conditions list; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonIt is not practicable to extend the list of specified conditions for the reasons mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 25th May last. I am not certain as to the precise form of sclerosis the hon. Member has in mind, but the list includes any continuing physical disability which prevents a patient from leaving his residence except with the help of another person. Exemption is also available on grounds of age or income, and where exemption cannot be claimed the prepayment certificate is available for those who need frequent prescriptions. —[Vol. 818, c.69–70.]