§ 66. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give an assurance that in any cuts in Government expenditure and savings on public expenditure no action will be taken to increase prescription and health charges or any other action which may adversely affect the sick and disabled.
§ Dr. OwenAs my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer indicated in his statement to the House on 22nd July, there will be no cuts in services provided for patients in the National Health Service, nor do the Government's measures include any increase in prescription charges. There will be increases next year in dental and ophthalmic charges but the present arrangements for remission of these charges for children and people with low income will be continued and will help to prevent hardship.