§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to phase out charges for prescriptions what percentage of such charges are now free; how many six-monthly and one-year season tickets were issued last year, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleIt remains our intention to phase out prescription charges when the resources available to the Health Service permit. In England last year 63 per cent. of NHS prescriptions were dispensed without charge and 39,000 six-monthly and 185,000 twelve-monthly prepayment certificates were issued to patients not otherwise exempt from charges.