§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the number of claimants using the family income supplement passport scheme for free school meals, free dental and optical care, free prescriptions, and free welfare milk and foods, respectively, for each year since the scheme was introduced.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThe numbers of such claimants in Great Britain for exemption from dental and optical charges were:
327W
Dental Optical 1971* 1,193 1,011 1972 6,512 4,024 1973 7,259 3,613 1974† 6,449 2,917 * From 24th March 1971. † To 31st October 1974. The average number of those receiving free welfare milk and foods in Great Britain at various dates in each of the years concerned, having used the family income supplement passport scheme was:
1971 55,000 1972 75,000 1973 70,000 1974 60,000 I regret that reliable information is not available about the number of those who obtain free prescriptions through the family income supplement passport scheme.
The numbers of claimants for free school meals are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.