§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will exempt young people on youth opportunities programme schemes from prescription charges for dental treatment; and whether people on youth opportunities programme schemes are ineligible for any benefits as a consequence of taking up a place on such a scheme.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergWe have no plans to change the wide-ranging exemption and low income remission arrangements from dental charges. About 60 per cent. of courses of treatment are currently provided free of charge. The Government's policy is to help those in greatest financial need; and young people who are not already exempt on age grounds may be entitled to full or partial remission from charges on grounds of low income.
People on youth opportunity programme schemes are not entitled to flat rate unemployment benefit, but they may claim supplementary benefit if their resources are insufficient to meet their requirements.