§ 52. Mrs. Castleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why invalidity pensioners, who are by definition chronically sick, are not automatically entitled to free prescriptions.
§ Sir K. JosephThey do not necessarily require prescriptions and their pensions are payable regardless of financial need. Anyone whose income is, by supplementary benefit standards, insufficient to enable him to afford prescription charges is entitled to exemption or help.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends, in view of the raising of the school leaving age, to modify the regulation regarding prescription charges as they affect school children over the age of 15 years.
§ Mr. AlisonNo. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Eddie Griffiths) on 14th June 1973.