§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which items are currently exempt from National Health Service prescription charges.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergContraceptive substances and appliances are provided free of charge under the National Health Service. The prescription charge exemption arrangements are broadly based on medical and financial need and operate by exempting groups of people—not specified medicines. The exemption groups include the elderly, children, people with certain medical conditions, war/service pensioners, expectant and nursing mothers 157W and people on low incomes. Items dispensed free of charge to people in these exemption groups—including contraceptive substances and appliances—at present account for 68 per cent. of all prescriptions dispensed. A further 6 per cent. of all prescriptions are dispensed to holders of "season tickets".