§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are currently being excused payment for optical and dental charges, respectively, in the West Riding; what his estimate is of this as a percentage of those eligible; and what are the comparable figures for the constituent divisions of the county.
§ Mr. DeanI assume the hon. Member is referring to the number of persons who receive payments in respect of these charges from the Supplementary Benefits Commission. As the 29 local offices which deal with supplementary benefit claims within the West Riding County Council area cover considerable territory outside that area, it is not possible to give precise information; nor can comparisons be made with constituent divisions of the county. The latest information available in respect of the 29 offices covers the 5-week period ended 23rd November, 1971, when 3,600 payments were made towards dental charges and 7,400 towards optical charges. Some of these payments would not have covered the full amount of the charges because of the level of the person's income. It is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the number eligible in the area.
§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are currently being excused payment for dental and optical charges; and what his estimate is of this number as a percentage of those eligible.
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§ Mr. DeanI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the number of persons who receive payments in respect of these charges from the Supplementary Benefits Commission. In the 25-week period ended 14th December, 1971, 207,000 payments of supplementary benefit were made towards dental charges and 419,000 towards optical charges. Some of these payments would not have covered the full charge because of the level of the claimant's income. It is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the percentage of eligible people who claim.